lip service



lip service

The insincere verbal expression of something, especially friendship, loyalty, respect, support, etc. Used especially in the phrase "give/pay lip service to something." All of the grand promises the president made in her campaign speeches turned out to be nothing but lip service. The local council members pay lip service each year to a renewed plan to tackle homelessness, but no one ever expects them to follow through.
See also: lip, service

lip service

Verbal but insincere expression of agreement or support. It is often put as pay or give lip service , as in They paid lip service to holding an election next year, but they had no intention of doing so . [Mid-1600s]
See also: lip, service

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Danail-Bulgarian
Chantelshawn-TEL, shan-TELEnglish
ŠTĚPÁN-Czech
GobnaitGAWB-netIrish
Turlough-Irish
Astarteəs-TAHR-tee (English)Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized), Biblical Greek