actions speak louder than words
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actions speak louder than words
proverb Actions are more revealing of one's true character since it is easy to say things or make promises, but it takes effort to do things and follow through. Paul made all sorts of promises when he was on the campaign trail. However, actions speak louder than words, so we'll see how many of those promises he actually keeps. Julie always says she'll donate to the school, and she never does, so I doubt she will this year. Actions speak louder than words, after all.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Actions speak louder than words.
Prov. Cliché What you do is more significant than what you say. You keep saying that you'll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
actions speak louder than words
What one does is more important than what one says, as in Politicians need to be reminded that actions speak louder than words. This statement, a proverb found in many languages, including ancient Greek, was first worded in precisely this way in English in Colonial Currency (1736). Also see all talk; do as I say, not as I do.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
actions speak louder than words
If you say that actions speak louder than words, you mean that people show what they really think and feel by what they do, rather than by what they say. Tom, who's a shy chap at heart, firmly believes that actions speak louder than words and has, therefore, been demonstrating his love for Jean by taking her dog to the vet, washing her car each week, and decorating each room in her house. Things are still likely to get worse before they get better. If governments would like to prevent that, they had better understand that actions speak louder than words. Note: People often use this expression when they want to criticize someone who says one thing but does something else.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
ˌactions speak ˌlouder than ˈwords
(saying) what you do is more important than what you say: You said you’d help me, but you know what they say: actions speak louder than words!Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
actions speak louder than words
What you do is more important than what you say. A proverb appearing in ancient Greek as well as in practically every modern language, this precise wording dates from the nineteenth century. A fifteenth-century version was “A man ought not to be deemed by his wordes, but by his workis” (Dictes and Sayenges of the Philosophirs, 1477).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer