talk is cheap

American  

idiom

1. (used to say that a person's words alone are not necessarily trustworthy, and that actions are more meaningful than words; often implies that a person's actions will not live up to their promises.)

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Example Sentences

Coal miners watched the “dual carbon” pledges and concluded, reasonably, that talk is cheap but contracts are enforceable.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026

But, as the saying goes, talk is cheap.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024

OK, not the most specific answer, but talk is cheap anyway.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2022

There is spring training, where talk is cheap and fun.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2021

There is no blindness where the talk is cheap.

From Geography and Plays by Stein, Gertrude