poor mouth

[ poor-mohth ]

/ ˈpʊər ˌmoʊθ /

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noun Informal.

a person who continually complains about a lack of money.

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

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Idioms about poor mouth

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

Origin of poor mouth

First recorded in 1815–25

Words nearby poor mouth

Poor Joe, poor law, poorly, poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, poor man's orange, poor mouth, poor rate, poor relation, Poor Richard's Almanac, Poor Richard's Almanack, Poor Robin's plantain

Other definitions for poor mouth (2 of 2)

poor-mouth

[ poor-mouth ]

/ ˈpʊərˌmaʊθ /

Informal.

verb (used without object), poor-mouthed

[poor-moutht, -mouthd], /ˈpʊərˌmaʊθt, -ˌmaʊðd/, poor-mouth·ing.

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

verb (used with object), poor-mouthed

[poor-moutht, -mouthd], /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.

bad-mouth.

Origin of poor-mouth

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

How to use poor mouth in a sentence

Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
If so, he has his silence -- on top of poor judgment -- to blame.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But most likely it was linked to the way priests identify with the poor in the face of government and criminal abuses.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What they actually mean by that is, you know, he actually knows some people that are poor.
Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee|Sally Kohn|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

For those living in poor communities in particular, interactions with police rarely come with good news and a smile.
How to Solve the Policing Crisis|Keli Goff|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Poor Squinty ran and tried to hide under the straw, for he knew the boy was talking about him.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
Aristide washed and powdered Jean himself, the landlord lounging by, pipe in mouth, administering suggestions.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He did believe you, more or less, and what you said fell in with his own impressions—strange impressions that they were, poor man!
Confidence|Henry James
Sol got up, slowly; took a backward step into the yard; filled his lungs, opened his mouth, made his eyes round.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
In withdrawing aside sorrow remaineth: and the substance of the poor is according to his heart.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for poor mouth

poor mouth

/ Irish /

noun

unjustified complaining, esp to excite sympathyshe always has the poor mouth

verb poor-mouth (tr)

informal to speak of disparagingly; decry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

poor mouth

Idioms about poor mouth

Origin of poor mouth

Words nearby poor mouth

Other definitions for poor mouth (2 of 2)

Origin of poor-mouth

Words related to poor mouth

How to use poor mouth in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for poor mouth