put up or shut up

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.

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.

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

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The White House hopes to capitalize on Republicans’ disarray, in effect calling their bluff and daring them to put up or shut up, although the hard-liners in the G.O.P. conference are unlikely to choose either option.

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It’s time to put up or shut up.

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“Hey Bobby! I don’t think I need to tell you, but these people who want to get you in trouble and want to kick you out and make you run away, you make them put up or shut up!”

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