a big noise

An important, successful, or influential person. Did you hear that Kelly got promoted to senior analyst? She's a big noise now. I like being a big noise here, so why would I move to New York City? Wow, with 30 goals on the year so far, he's really becoming a big noise, huh?

an empty vessel makes the most noise

proverb Foolish, unwise, or stupid people are the most talkative. Of course silly old Aunt Helen babbles constantly—an empty vessel makes the most noise. An empty vessel makes the most noise, so don't pay attention to anything that fool says. She has no experience in the field, so of course she's going to try to give you advice. An empty vessel makes the most noise, right?

See also: an, empty, make, most, noise, vessel

eff this/that noise

rude slang An exclamation of utter disdain for and rejection of something. ("Eff" is the phonetic spelling of the letter F, representing the expletive "fuck.") You know what? Eff this noise! I'm done talking to you. A: "I'm just so sick of all the drama in that group!" B: "For real, eff that noise!" I don't pay any attention to what people say about me in the tabloids. Eff that noise!

empty vessels make (the) most noise

proverb Foolish, unwise, or stupid people are the most talkative. Of course silly old Aunt Helen babbles constantly—empty vessels make the most noise. Empty vessels make most noise, so don't pay attention to anything that fool says. She has no experience in the field, so of course she's going to try to give you advice. Empty vessels make the most noise, right?

See also: empty, make, most, noise, vessel

fuck this/that noise

rude slang An exclamation of utter disdain for and rejection of something. You know what? Fuck this noise! I'm done talking to you. A: "I'm just so sick of all the drama in that group!" B: "For real, fuck that noise!" I'm not doing all the work on what is supposed to be a group project—fuck that noise!

make (all) the right noises

To behave as though one is enjoying, supporting, or enthusiastic about something, even if that is not the case. I hate going to these fundraisers, but I've learned to make the right noises over the years. The senator made all the right noises about the issue last fall, but, six months later, she hasn't done a single thing to address it.

make a noise about (something)

To draw attention to something, as through loud, forceful discussion or complaints. There's a guy at the customer service desk who's been making a noise for the last hour about getting bumped off the flight. We're making an effort in the school to make a noise about bullying, highlighting how far reaching it can be into the lives of students.

See also: make, noise

make noise (about something)

To be very outspoken about something, especially that which one dislikes or disagrees with. Consumers have begun making a lot more noise about policies of the company that they claim are manipulative and predatory. We have to continue making noise, or else the people in congress who can actually fix the law will never pay attention to the issue.

See also: make, noise

make noises about (something)

To have a very broad, general discussion about something one might do or wants to do, without getting into specific details or plans. She's been making noises about going to art school for years, but so far she hasn't made any steps toward making that happen.

See also: make, noise

noise about

To spread gossip, secrets, or confidential information around to other people. A noun or pronoun can be used between "noise" and "about." I heard Tom and Eliza are getting a divorce! I wouldn't go noising that about to anyone else, though! Surely she isn't so foolish as to noise about confidential business details to her subordinates.

noise abroad

To spread gossip, secrets, or confidential information around to other people. A noun or pronoun can be used between "noise" and "abroad." I heard Tom and Eliza are getting a divorce! I wouldn't go noising that abroad to anyone else, though! Surely she isn't so foolish as to noise abroad confidential business details to her subordinates.

noise around

To spread gossip, secrets, or confidential information around to other people. A noun or pronoun can be used between "noise" and "around." I heard Tom and Eliza are getting a divorce! I wouldn't go noising that around to anyone else, though! Surely she isn't so foolish as to noise around confidential business details to her subordinates.

white noise

1. A steady, static-like sound that contains all the audible frequencies of a vibration. Its name is analogous to "white light," light that contains all the wavelengths of visible light. Our radio couldn't pick up a signal from any stations in such a remote spot, so all we could hear was the droning hiss of white noise. White noise has been a game-changer for us. It's the only thing that gets the baby to sleep through the night.

2. A random, chaotic, or discordant social milieu of competing speech, opinions, or information. There has been so much white noise in the media about this situation that it's hard to pay attention to it anymore. I know it can be hard having the whole country's attention on your, but you've just got to tune out all the white noise and focus on your work.

Empty vessels make the most sound.

Prov. Foolish people make the most noise. I suspect Amy is not very smart. She chatters constantly, and as they say, empty vessels make the most sound.

See also: empty, make, most, sound, vessel

noise something about

and noise something abroad; noise something around

to spread around a secret; to gossip something around. Now don't noise it about, but I am going to Houston next week to see my girl. Please don't noise this abroad. Stop noising that gossip around.

make noises

COMMON If you make noises about something you might do, you mention it briefly in a way that is not definite or detailed. Hall has recently been making noises about buying back the club. His mother had started making noises about it being time for him to leave home. Note: Adjectives are sometimes added before noises. He made all sorts of encouraging noises that he would love Scotland to stage the European Championships.

See also: make, noise

make the right noises

If someone makes the right noises about a problem or issue, their remarks suggest that they will deal with the situation in the way that you want them to. The President was making all the right noises about multi-party democracy and human rights. The Labour party certainly made the right noises about transport when they wanted our votes at the last General Election.

empty vessels make the most sound

empty vessels make the most noise

OLD-FASHIONED

People say empty vessels make the most sound or empty vessels make the most noise to mean that people who talk a lot and give their opinions a lot are often not very intelligent or talented. There's a lot of truth in that old saying, `Empty vessels make the most sound'. Those who are actually content with their choices are not usually interested in telling the rest of us about them. Note: People like this can be called empty vessels. These `experts' who talk a lot but actually say nothing have been shown up for the empty vessels they are. Note: A vessel is a container such as a jug, pot or jar.

See also: empty, make, most, sound, vessel

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

empty vessels make most noise (or sound)

those with least wisdom or knowledge are always the most talkative. proverb

Vessel here refers to a hollow container, such as a bowl or cask, rather than a ship.

See also: empty, make, most, noise, vessel

make a noise

speak or act in a way designed to attract a lot of attention or publicity.

See also: make, noise

a big ˈname/ˈnoise

a ˈbig shot

(informal) an important person: ‘What does Ian’s dad do?’ ‘Oh, he’s a big shot in the City.’ OPPOSITE: small fry

make a (lot of) ˈnoise (about something)

(informal) talk or complain about something a lot: People are making more noise these days about pollution. ♢ The unions are making a lot of noise about the new legislation.

See also: make, noise

make ˈnoises (about something)

(informal) show that you are interested in something/in doing something, but not in a direct way: The government has been making noises about listening to the public but it still hasn’t changed any of its policies. ♢ She hasn’t exactly said that she wants to change her job but she has been making noises in that direction.

See also: make, noise

make (all) the right ˈnoises

(informal) behave as if you support or agree with something, usually because it is fashionable or to your advantage to do so: The doctors are making the right noises about the reforms to the health service, but I’m not sure that they actually agree with them.

big noise

1. n. an important person. If you’re such a big noise, why don’t you get this line moving?

2. n. the important current news; the current scandal. There’s a big noise up on Capitol Hill. Something about budget cuts.

noise

1. n. empty talk; nonsense. I’ve had enough of your noise. Shut up!

2. n. heroin. (Drugs.) Man, I need some noise now! I hurt!

See also: