All bark and no bite

Meaning

Having lots to say but not willing to engage in a fight.

Examples

There’s always one loud guy at the back who disappears when trouble starts – all bark but no bite.

Where did it originate?

Britain, as a variant of ‘his bark is worse than his bite’, which is of early 19th century origin.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

All bark and no bite