poor mouth
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.
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
1Words Nearby poor mouth
Other definitions for poor-mouth (2 of 2)
to lament or argue that one is too poor; plead poverty.
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
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use poor mouth in a sentence
This boy was a prisoner, too, and yet he turns up all right and puts up a poor mouth about what he failed to do.
A Little Union Scout | Joel Chandler HarrisNot once did they put up a poor mouth and beg the Government to come to their help.
The Head Hunters of Northern Luzon From Ifugao to Kalinga | Cornelis De Witt Willcoxpoor mouth; making the poor mouth is trying to persuade people you are very poor—making out or pretending that you are poor.
English As We Speak It in Ireland | P. W. JoyceSee, children, just as soon as I say a word, mad like a wet hen he gets and right away puts on a poor mouth.
Just Around the Corner | Fannie HurstAnd yet I am told that the old woman was not accustomed to "make a poor mouth," as the saying goes.
British Dictionary definitions for poor mouth
/ Irish /
unjustified complaining, esp to excite sympathy: she always has the poor mouth
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
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