Definition
信口开河 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to speak without thinking' or 'to blurt out nonsense'. The literal image is 'letting the mouth open like a river' — talking freely with no filter. It carries a strongly negative judgment and is used to criticize someone who says things carelessly or makes unfounded claims. You can use it as a verb phrase, typically in the pattern '别信口开河' (don't talk nonsense) or '他总爱信口开河' (he always shoots off his mouth).
idiom
to shoot off one's mouthto speak carelesslyto blurt out nonsense
Examples
- ，信口开河，。Tā shuōhuà cóng bù jīngguò dànǎo, jīngcháng xìn kǒu kāi hé, dézuì le bù shǎo rén.He never thinks before he speaks and often shoots off his mouth, offending quite a few people.
- ，信口开河，。Bié tīng tā de, tā búguò shì xìn kǒu kāi hé, gēnběn méiyǒu zhèngjù.Don't listen to him — he's just talking nonsense with no evidence at all.
- ，信口开河，。Zuòwéi yì míng jìzhě, juéduì bù néng xìn kǒu kāi hé, bìxū duì měi jù huà fùzé.As a journalist, you must never shoot off your mouth — you have to be responsible for every word.
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