make empty promises; pay lip service
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to make empty promises; to pay lip service; mere words without action
formalUsed to criticize someone who talks but does not act. Commonly used in formal writing and serious criticism. Often appears in political, business, or social commentary contexts.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
tú徒
tuō托
kōng空
yán言
，
cóng从
bù不
fù付
zhū诸
xíng行
dòng动
。
He always pays lip service and never puts words into action.
Zhèng政
fǔ府
bù不
néng能
tú徒
tuō托
kōng空
yán言
，
bì必
xū须
jiě解
jué决
shí实
jì际
wèn问
tí题
。
The government cannot make empty promises; it must solve practical problems.
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Bié别
zhǐ只
shì是
tú徒
tuō托
kōng空
yán言
，
ná拿
chū出
shí实
jì际
xíng行
dòng动
lái来
。
Don't just pay lip service; take concrete actions.