flap one's gums

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

flap one's gums (third-person singular simple present flaps one's gums, present participle flapping one's gums, simple past and past participle flapped one's gums)

1. (idiomatic, colloquial, US) To speak (idly); to talk without effect.

   Synonyms: flap one's jaws, flap one's lips

   What's that old coot flapping his gums about this time?

   • 2026 January 9, David Rooney, “‘Primate’ Review: College Kids Fight to Survive a Rabid Pet Chimp in a Slasher Movie That’s as Enjoyably Nerve-Shredding as It Is Silly”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 11 January 2026:

     It’s a relief in director Johannes Roberts’ horror movie that there are no actual chimps flapping their gums while voiceover actors dub corny dialogue.