Is someone telling you about their achievements and their abilities? Maybe you feel like they’re embellishing their skillset? If so, you could challenge them to prove their worth by saying, “talk the talk and walk the walk.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression “talk the talk and walk the walk” means to back up your claims with proof or actions.
Example Usage
“That new salesperson spent an hour telling us that he has the best sales skills in the industry. Now the interviews are over, let’s see if he can talk the talk and walk the walk.”
“You talk big, but I think you’re just a flash in the pan. Let’s see if you can talk the talk and walk the walk.”
“She can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk?”
“Talk the talk and walk the walk. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase "talk the talk and walk the walk" comes from the Shakespeare play, "Richard III," first performed in 1594. A character, "The First Murderer," uses the expression in the production.
"Fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate;
Talkers are no good doers: be assured
We come to use our hands and not our tongues."
Dome experts believe Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase, but there is no evidence to suggest this. The earliest use of the term in its modern format comes from The Mansfield News, an Ohio newspaper. It appeared in a June article in 1921 as the following.
"Although he has no gilded medals upon his bosom, Howard Herring of the North American Watch company, walks the walk, and talks the talk, of a hero today."
The phrase would change over the years, and people in the UK would abbreviate it to "walk the talk." The earliest appearance of this iteration in print comes from the "The Times" newspaper, where it appears as follows.
"Some of the less friendly observers have determined that we will abandon our principles and reveal ourselves as shallow cynical exploiters. We must disappoint them... quite simply put, we walk our talk."
Phrases Similar to Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk
- Walk the talk.
- Test your mettle.
- Put your money where your mouth is.
- Trial by fire.
Phrases Opposite to Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk
- Outlandish claims.
- You’re talking rubbish.
- All talk and no action.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Talk the talk walk the walk.
- Talk the talk and walk the walk.
Ways People May Say Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk Incorrectly
The phrase has nothing to do with walking or talking. It’s telling someone they need to make their actions match their words.
Using it to describe hiking or running is incorrect. However, you could use the phrase if someone tells you they can sprint 100 meters in less than 10-seconds. It would act as a challenge to them, asking them to prove it to you.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk
You can use the phrase “talk the talk walk the walk” when challenging someone to live up to what they say. It’s a way of asking someone if they can prove their mettle, living up to the claims they make. It’s a way of telling someone to act as they speak.
The phrase suits social and professional use. If a salesperson is bragging about their closing skills during a hire, the manager could tell them that now is the time to see if they can talk the talk and walk the walk.
At home, you could use it as a challenge to your partner, asking them to live up to the claims they make. The phrase suits use with friends or anyone you meet that makes large claims about their skills or behavior, forcing them to prove themselves to you.