poor-mouth

¹

[poor-mouth]

verb (used without object)

poor-mouthed, poor-mouthing 

1. to lament or argue that one is too poor; plead poverty.

verb (used with object)

poor-mouthed, poor-mouthing 

1. to declare (one's ability, power, position, etc.) to be inadequate or disappointing, sometimes as an intentional understatement; downplay.

   We know you're just poor-mouthing your skill at playing bridge—you're a good player.

2. bad-mouth.

poor mouth

²

[poor mohth]

noun

Informal.

1. a person who continually complains about a lack of money.

2. a plea or complaint of poverty, often as an excuse for not contributing to charities, paying bills, etc.

poor mouth

noun

1. unjustified complaining, esp to excite sympathy

   she always has the poor mouth

verb

1. informal,  to speak of disparagingly; decry

Word History and Origins

Origin of poor-mouth¹

1965–70; originally in verb phrases put up a poor mouth, make a poor mouth

Origin of poor-mouth²

First recorded in 1815–25

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cry poor mouth, to complain, especially habitually, about a lack of money. Also talk a poor mouth.

Related Words

• curtail 
• decrease 
• diminish 
• downplay 
• lessen 
• play down 
• reduce 
• trivialize 
• underestimate