Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

口ほどにもない (くちほどにもない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

口くちほどにもない

Meanings

1

expression, i-adjective

all bark and no bite; unable to live up to one's claims

Describes someone who talks big but cannot back it up with actions or ability. Often used critically.

彼かれは口くちほどにもない男おとこだ。
He's all bark and no bite.
あの政せい治じ家かの演えん説ぜつは立りっ派ぱだったが、結けっ局きょく口くちほどにもなかった。
That politician's speech was impressive, but in the end he couldn't live up to his words.

Written forms

口くちほどにもない
Standard modern spelling using 口 and kana for the rest.
口くちほどにも無ない
Variant with 無い; slightly more formal or literary feel.
口くち程ほどにもない
Uses the less common 程 kanji; rarely seen.
口くち程ほどにも無ない
Combination of 程 and 無い; very rare.

Kanji

口mouth

nothingness, none, ain't

程extent, degree, law

Similar words

口くち先さきだけ
口先だけ means 'just lip service' or 'empty words', focusing on insincerity. 口ほどにもない emphasizes the gap between boastful talk and actual ability or results.
言いうだけ番ばん長ちょう
A slangy, humorous expression for someone who talks tough but does nothing. 口ほどにもない is more standard and can be used in formal contexts.

Etymology

Literally 'not even as much as one's mouth'. The phrase 口ほどにもない compares a person's words (口) to their actual ability or deeds, suggesting the reality falls short of the talk.