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Glite Dictionary
to shot from the lip

to shot from the lip

9.9
To say something quickly without thinking
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : hablar sin pensar
  • He regretted having shot from the lip during the meeting, realizing it could harm his reputation.

Examples

  • She often shoots from the lip without considering the consequences.

  • Don't shoot from the lip!

  • He regretted having shot from the lip during the interview.

  • It's easy to get into trouble when you shot from the lip in meetings.

  • Many politicians have learned not to shot from the lip on sensitive topics.

  • It's easy to get in trouble if you shot from the lip without thinking about the impact of your words.

  • Many successful leaders have learned to pause before they shot from the lip in sensitive discussions.

Synonyms

to blurt
vsto shot from the lip
59 4.8

To say something suddenly without thinking because you feel excited or nervous

focuses on lack of self-censorship rather than nervous or emotional spillover
to blurt out
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
42 3.9

Say something suddenly without thinking

focuses on speaking without self-censorship rather than emotional impulse
to spit out
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
15 4.4

To say words quickly and angrily to show dislike

highlights lack of self-censorship rather than mainly forceful anger
to shoot from the hip
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
6 8.1

To speak or act quickly without thinking carefully

applies mainly to speaking without self-censorship rather than general quick action
to shoot one's mouth off
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
5 8.0

To say things carelessly or proudly without thinking about the result

emphasizes lack of self-censorship rather than boastful intent
to run off at the mouth
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
3 8.4

Talk too much and say things you should not

centers on impulsive lack of self-censorship rather than mere verbosity
to shoot from the lip
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
1 8.9

To speak quickly without thinking and risk upsetting people

focuses on speaking without self-censorship rather than causing offense
to lip off
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
1 8.9

Talk back rudely to someone in charge

focuses on impulsive unfiltered speech rather than deliberate disrespect
to shoot off at the mouth
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
1 9.4

Say things quickly without thinking that may hurt people or make you sorry later

focuses on lack of self-censorship rather than mainly causing offense
to blunder out
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
7.4

To say something quickly and carelessly without thinking

stresses unfiltered speech rather than social clumsiness
to put one's foot in one's mouth
vsto shot from the lip
  • Informal
8.2

To say something embarrassing without meaning to

means speaking without self-censorship rather than accidental embarrassment

Antonyms

to think before you speak
  • Informal
4 3.5

To pause and imagine how your words will affect others before you say them

How Impulsive

to blurt out
  • Informal
42 3.9
to shot from the lip
  • Informal
9.9

Surface Forms

shot from the lip infinitive
shot from the lip past
shot from the lip past participle
shooting from the lip present participle
shots from the lip third person singular

Morphology

shot + from + the + lip

The constituents give clear clues: 'shot' can denote a sharp remark and 'lip' can mean impertinent or cheeky speech, so a remark originating 'from the lip' plausibly signals an impulsive or uncensored utterance. However, the phrasing is not a standard transparent composition (and 'lip' = 'impudence' may be unfamiliar to many B1 learners), so the exact idiomatic sense is only partially predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Shot from the lip gives the picture of words flying out like a sudden shot from your lip. So the phrase came to mean 'to speak without thinking' or say something impulsively.