lip service
- insincere expression of friendship, admiration, support, etc.; service by words only: He paid only lip service to the dictator.
Origin of lip service
Examples from the Web for lip service
Contemporary Examples of lip service
Johnson called it “not much more than lip-service to his pledge to begin withdrawing by this summer.”
Historical Examples of lip service
There is no lack of lip-service to the sea-creed in these islands.
Admirals of the British NavyFrancis Dodd
Vain will be your lip-service; vain your cold, heartless offerings.
Bible EmblemsEdward E. Seelye
Yet there was a distinguishing, cordial charm in his courtesy; it was not all lip-service.
MountainClement Wood
They may render it lip-service, but that is quite another thing.
The New MachiavelliHerbert George Wells
All my service of God there was lip-service: why did I, having the opportunity of living in greater perfection, neglect it?
The Life of St. Teresa of JesusTeresa of Avila
lip service
- insincere support or respect expressed but not put into practice
Word Origin and History for lip service
lip service
Insincere agreement; to “pay lip service” is to consent in one's words while dissenting in one's heart: “The boss's support of affirmative action was merely paying lip service; he never committed himself to it in any substantial way.”
Idioms and Phrases with lip service
lip service
Verbal but insincere expression of agreement or support. It is often put as pay or give lip service, as in They paid lip service to holding an election next year, but they had no intention of doing so. [Mid-1600s]