put up or shut up

Idioms  

1. Act on what you are saying or stop talking about it, as in You've been citing evidence for months but never presented it—now put up or shut up. This somewhat impolite term, often put as a command, is believed to come from gambling, in which a card player is told to ante up or withdraw. A second theory maintains that it means either put up your fists to fight or back down. [1870s] Also see put one's money where one's mouth is.

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Example Sentences

Some Conservative insiders also suggested Davies had not been shy in confronting his critics, in effect telling them to put up or shut up.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2024

“We gotta put up or shut up, I will say that,” Malloe said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2024

“I said, yes. I mean, put up or shut up at this point,” Santos said.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2023

"It's a case of put up or shut up at this point."

From Reuters • Sep. 12, 2022

Conant was telling him point-blank to put up or shut up.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik