poor-mouth
[poo r-mouth]Informal.
verb (used without object), poor-mouthed [poo r-moutht, -mouth d] /ˈpʊərˌmaʊθt, -ˌmaʊðd/, poor-mouth·ing.
to lament or argue that one is too poor; plead poverty.
verb (used with object), poor-mouthed [poo r-moutht, -mouth d] /ˈpʊərˌmaʊθt, -ˌmaʊðd/, poor-mouth·ing.
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.
Origin of poor-mouth
1965–70; Americanism; orig. in verb phrases put up a poor mouth, make a poor mouth
poor mouth
noun Informal.
Origin of poor mouth
First recorded in 1815–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for poor-mouth
lessen, reduce, decrease, underestimate, diminish, downplay, curtail, sully, malign, blacken, taint, defame, slander, vilify, besmirch, minimize, belittle, denounce, condemn, despisepoor mouth
noun
verb poor-mouth (tr)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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