高谈阔论

高談闊論

gāotánkuòlùn

idiom #31,683

Meanings

1 to talk loftily and expansively; to harangue
2 (often disparaging) to hold forth grandly on abstract topics

Characters

wide; expansive

to discuss; discourse

Examples

他在酒桌上高谈阔论，别人插不上嘴。

Tā zài jiǔzhuō shàng gāotánkuòlùn, biérén chā bú shàng zuǐ.

He held forth grandly at the dinner table, leaving no room for anyone else to speak.

与其高谈阔论，不如付诸行动。

Yǔqí gāotánkuòlùn, bùrú fùzhū xíngdòng.

Rather than grandstanding with lofty talk, it's better to take action.

Tips

usage

Usually mildly disparaging — implies the talk is empty or detached from reality. Pair with contrasts like 付诸行动 (take action) or 脚踏实地 (stay grounded) to underline the criticism.

Stroke Order

高 gāo

谈 tán

阔 kuò

论 lùn