“Empty Barrel” Meaning, Origin and Examples

The term “empty barrel” has been used in one form or another for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest terms of the English language. If you have recently encountered this term and came here looking for its meaning, then you have come to the right place. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase, details regarding its origin, and some other meanings if it has any.

Example conversations are also provided for you here as well so you can see how the phrase is used in context and to help you better understand the definition. Finally, you will see some synonymous words or phrases that you can use interchangeably with this phrase because they share the same meaning.

Empty Barrel Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The term “empty barrel” is used to refer to someone who talks a lot but often lacks the ability to back up anything they have to say. It is often used to describe someone who is known as a loudmouth but who is dimwitted.
Empty Barrel Meaning
Empty Barrel Meaning – Created by 7ESL

What Does Empty Barrel Mean?

The phrase “empty barrel” refers to someone who talks a lot but has little substance or value in what they are saying. It comes from the idea that an empty barrel makes the most noise, implying that a person who speaks loudly or frequently may not necessarily have meaningful or thoughtful things to contribute.

Origin of this Term

The exact origin of this phrase and its first usage are unknown. Many famous authors and philosophers, such as Shakespeare and Plato, have used similar phrases in their writings that alluded to the same definition of this phrase. The shortened slang phrase here is actually a part of the longer phrase “an empty barrel makes the most noise.” The phrase means that those who have the most to say often don’t have anything to say at all, they are simply talking to hear themselves talk and make a stink. This particular term and phrases like it have been used for hundreds of years to refer to these types of individuals.

Usage of “Empty Barrel”

  1. In a professional setting:
    “He talks a lot during the meetings, but he’s just an empty barrel—never offering anything useful.”
  2. In a personal conversation:
    “Don’t pay attention to her criticisms; she’s just an empty barrel making noise without any real insight.”
  3. As a critique:
    “That politician sounds confident, but he’s an empty barrel—there’s no real substance behind his words.”

This phrase is used to describe someone who speaks a lot but lacks meaningful content or depth.

Related Terms to “Empty Barrel”

  • All talk, no action – someone who talks a lot but doesn’t follow through.
  • Blowhard – a person who brags or talks a lot without substance.
  • Hot air – empty, meaningless talk.
  • Windbag – a person who talks too much with little to say.
  • Empty vessel – someone who speaks loudly but lacks knowledge or insight.
  • Big mouth – a person who speaks loudly or too much, often without adding value.
  • Full of it – someone who is perceived as talking nonsense or without credibility.
  • Talks a good game – someone who speaks confidently but can’t back it up.
  • Loudmouth – a person who talks loudly and often, usually without much substance.
  • Empty promises – assurances or claims that lack real commitment or follow-through.

Synonyms for Empty Barrel

There are quite a few words or phrases that you can use to replace this slang phrase and still convey the same meaning. Some other words or phrases you could use include:

  • loudmouth
  • attention seeker
  • empty vessel

Examples of “Empty Barrel”

Conversation Examples

A conversation between two friends via text message.

  • Friend 1: Oye! Tommy gets on my last nerve! He always has a lot to say but its like he is never really saying anything!
  • Friend 2: I know what you mean. He is just an empty barrel. You have to not let it bother you so much.

An online discussion between two Facebook users.

  • User 1: You have so much to say, but when you have to present proof all I hear is silence.
  • User 2: LOL! You got that right! That troll, whoever he is, is such an empty barrel!
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