For example, my SO always talks about getting all of these tattoos, but then never does. Or, I talk about how I want to go on all of these world-travelling adventures, but then never do. Looking for more than "lacking follow-through."
asked Aug 20, 2018 at 14:32
2
... a word or term for always saying you're going to do something, but then not doing it...
talk is cheap - prov. It is easier to say you will do something than to actually do it. (Saying this in response to someone who promises you something implies that you do not believe that person will keep the promise.)
- My boss keeps saying she'll give me a raise, but talk is cheap.
- You've been promising me a new dishwasher for five years now. Talk is cheap.
answered Aug 20, 2018 at 15:32
CentaurusCentaurus
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Talks a big game. It implies trying to gain stature by talking about proposed actions, but not doing anything in practice.
answered Aug 20, 2018 at 16:04
perpetualperpetual
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Flaky could work - "not reliable in performance or behavior : undependable"
answered Aug 20, 2018 at 19:27
1
You can use all bark but no bite to describe such a situation. The second example from the citation shows the usage.
Full of talk that is more threatening or impressive than that which one can or will actually do.
He always threatens to call the police if I don't stay off his lawn, but he's all bark and no bite.
John talks big about how much money he'll make someday, but he's all bark and no bite.
The Free Dictionary FARLEX
answered Aug 20, 2018 at 19:13
jxhjxh
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Synonyms
bother
verb
if you do not bother to do something, you do not do it, either because there seems to be no good reason or because it involves too much effort
abstain
verb
formal to not do something that is likely to cause serious problems
neglect
verb
to fail to do something that you should do
refrain
verb
formal to stop yourself from doing something. This word is often used in official announcements or signs
let nature take its course
phrase
to allow something to develop without trying to influence it
make no move
phrase
to do nothing
can’t bring yourself to do something
phrase
to be unable to do something because it is too unpleasant or embarrassing, or makes you too upset
omit to do something
phrase
to fail to do something that would have been helpful or honest
stand by
phrasal verb
to not take action when you should
leave
verb
to not do something, especially because you prefer to do it later or so that someone else can do it
More synonyms
blow off
phrasal verb
Americaninformal to not do something you had agreed or arranged to do
bottle it
phrase
to not do something because you do not feel brave enough
bottle out
phrasal verb
to not do something because you do not feel brave enough
chicken out
phrasal verb
to not do something you were going to do because you are too frightened
come close to (doing) something
phrase
to nearly do something
come within an inch of doing something
phrase
to almost do something
demur
verb
formal to refuse to do something
dig your heels in
phrase
to refuse to do something even though other people are trying to persuade you
do something by proxy
phrase
if you do something by proxy, someone else does it for you
drop the ball
phrase
to fail to do something that you are responsible for doing
give something a miss
phrase
to decide not to do something that you usually do
it’s more than my job’s worth
phrase
used for saying that you will not do something because you would lose your job if you did it
I wouldn’t think of doing something/I would never think of doing something
phrase
used for saying that you would not consider doing something, for any reason or in any situation
keep off
phrasal verb
to not go onto a particular area of land
leave it at that
phrase
to not do anything more about something
leave/let something alone
phrase
to stop trying to deal with something
leave someone/something hanging
phrase
to fail to solve a difficult situation, or to let someone remain in a difficult situation without solving it
leave something to chance/fate
phrase
to not try to change the way that something is developing or happening
let it/things lie
phrase
to not do or say anything because you might make a difficult situation worse
let sleeping dogs lie
phrase
to leave a person or situation alone if they might cause you trouble
miss
verb
to fail to be present for something, or to not be in a place when someone else is there
not do a stroke of work
phrase
to do no work at all
not soil your hands
phrase
formal to refuse to do something that you do not approve of
resist
verb
to stop yourself from doing something that you would very much like to do
sit by
phrasal verb
to take no action when something bad is happening
sit tight
phrase
to stay where you are, or to not take action until the right time
skip
verb
to not do something, but to do the next thing instead
stand around
phrasal verb
to stand somewhere and do nothing, often when you should be doing something
stand aside
phrasal verb
British to not involve yourself in a situation, especially one that you should be trying to prevent
stand/sit idly by
phrase
to see something bad happening without trying to prevent it
stand there
phrase
to stand in a place for no particular purpose, without doing anything useful
stop short of (doing) something
phrase
to not do something, although you almost do it