put up or shut up
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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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
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Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Words nearby put up or shut up
puttyroot, Putumayo, put-up, put-up job, put-upon, put up or shut up, put up with, put wise, put words in someone's mouth, put your foot in your mouth, putz
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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