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Glite Dictionary
to shoot off at the mouth

to shoot off at the mouth

1 9.4
Say things quickly without thinking that may hurt people or make you sorry later
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : hablar sin pensar
  • After realizing his mistake, he regretted shooting off at the mouth during the meeting.

Examples

  • Shoot off at the mouth

    Hamilton (2025)

  • - I ain't just shootin' off at the mouth.

    I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

  • We started drinking and shooting off at the mouth.

    Bird on a Wire (1990)

  • She often shoots off at the mouth without considering how her words might affect others.

  • He tends to shoot off at the mouth during debates, which sometimes causes unnecessary arguments.

Synonyms

to lash out
vsto shoot off at the mouth
71 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is more about impulsive unthinking remarks that may cause regret rather than directed attack
to blurt
vsto shoot off at the mouth
59 4.8

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

is more likely to cause offense or regret rather than a nervous slip
to blurt out
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
42 3.9

Say something suddenly without thinking

is more likely to offend or cause regret than a simple slip
to mouth off
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
28 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

is more about impulsive unthinking comments that may cause regret rather than deliberate disrespect
to spit out
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
15 4.4

To say words quickly and angrily to show dislike

is more about impulsive careless speech that may cause regret rather than force
to shoot from the hip
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
6 8.1

To speak or act quickly without thinking carefully

is focused on impulsive speech that often causes offense or regret
to shoot one's mouth off
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
5 8.0

To say things carelessly or proudly without thinking about the result

is used when speech is impulsive and may cause offense or regret
to go off half-cocked
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
4 8.1

To act or speak without thinking first and cause problems

is about impulsive speech that risks offense or later regret rather than mistakes
to run off at the mouth
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
3 8.4

Talk too much and say things you should not

is more about brief impulsive remarks likely to offend rather than long rambling speech
to pop off
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
1 8.1

To suddenly say something angry without warning

is more focused on impulsive speech that may offend rather than sudden anger
to shoot from the lip
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
1 8.9

To speak quickly without thinking and risk upsetting people

is used when speech also leads to regret rather than only misunderstanding
to lip off
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
1 8.9

Talk back rudely to someone in charge

is more about impulsive remarks that may lead to regret rather than intended insolence
to blaze away
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
1 7.5

To speak angrily and strongly to criticize someone

is more about impulsive thoughtless speech likely to offend rather than planned attack
to go off on one
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • UK
1 9.9

To suddenly get very angry and speak loudly for a long time

is more about short impulsive remarks that offend rather than prolonged angry speeches
to shot from the lip
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
9.9

To say something quickly without thinking

is more likely to cause offense or later regret after speaking
to blunder out
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
7.4

To say something quickly and carelessly without thinking

is more likely to cause regret or offend rather than being merely clumsy
to bite out
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
7.5

Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed

is more likely to be impulsive without thinking and cause regret
to put one's foot in one's mouth
vsto shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
8.2

To say something embarrassing without meaning to

is more about impulsive speech likely to offend or cause regret rather than mere 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 shoot off at the mouth
  • Informal
1 9.4
to blurt out
  • Informal
42 3.9

Surface Forms

shoot off at the mouth infinitive
shooting off at the mouth present participle
shoots off at the mouth third person singular
shot off at the mouth past
shot off at the mouth past participle

Morphology

shoot + off + at + the + mouth

The phrase combines literal pieces ('shoot' = fire quickly, 'mouth' = place of speaking) in a metaphorical way so a learner could guess it involves rapid or forceful speech, but the precise sense of speaking impulsively or offensively is an idiomatic extension not fully deducible from the parts. Because the meaning relies on a culture-specific metaphorical use of 'shoot off' with 'mouth' rather than straightforward composition, it is partially but not fully transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Shoot off at the mouth creates the picture of the mouth as a small gun: you shoot words out fast like bullets. That's why it now means 'to speak without thinking' or 'say something that may cause trouble'.