lip service

American  

noun

1. insincere expression of friendship, admiration, support, etc.; service by words only.

   He paid only lip service to the dictator.

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lip service British  

noun

1. insincere support or respect expressed but not put into practice

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lip service Cultural  

1. 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.”

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lip service Idioms  

1. Verbal but insincere expression of agreement or support. It is often put as, as in They paid lip service to holding an election next year, but they had no intention of doing so. [Mid-1600s]

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Other Word Forms

• lip server noun

Etymology

Origin of lip service

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

Preparing Americans for this change can’t be just lip service with no follow-through.

From MarketWatch

They may ask for others’ input and give lip service to their ideas, but it quickly becomes clear that “it’s my way or the highway.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Carroll is concerned that Hassett no longer appears to speak that language, or that he pays it lip service only.

From Barron's

But as Mr. Gottlieb accurately says, today most philosophers do not accept that philosophical problems are merely linguistic confusions and pay no more than lip service to his ideas.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Are you paying lip service or is this your intention?” the judge asked.

From Los Angeles Times