We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "Read My Lips" Mean?

By A. Leverkuhn
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 12,523
Share

The English idiom "read my lips" is an imperative statement demanding or requesting that listeners pay attention to the meaning of the words that the speaker is saying. The phrase is most commonly used on its own, where somebody who says “read my lips,” really wants to drive home a point to an audience. The phrase is commonly followed up with a clear, short statement that aptly demonstrates the speaker’s main point.

As one of the more concrete idioms of English language, the phrase, “read my lips,” uses a fairly literal meaning. When someone reads someone’s lips, they are looking at the way that the mouth moves to figure out what words are being said. This is a primary way for those who are deaf to understand way speakers say.

The underlying meaning for the phrase, “read my lips,” as it is said to those who can hear, goes this way: by simultaneously hearing the words and reading the person slips, the listener will assumedly get the information twice as well. This is why people use the phrase to ask someone to follow what they’re saying closely. The use of this phrase is often seen as somewhat imperial or condescending, since it implies that the listener is not paying careful enough attention. It can also be taken as a promise, where the speaker is assuring the listener that he or she really means what he or she is saying.

In recent times, this old idiomatic phrase was revived by American Pres. George Herbert Walker Bush in a campaign speech regarding taxation. This full use of the phrase was, “read my lips: no new taxes.” The phrase was subsequently taken up as a mantle by antitax activists, and also treated with derision by others. According to media reports, the president later did raise some taxes, which delegitimized his use of the phrase.

The English lexicon includes several phrases that have a similar meaning as “read my lips.” Another way to say this would be, “Let’s make this clear,” or “Get this straight.” In general, the word “straight” refers to clarity of expression, where English speakers may talk about getting an issue “straight” or commonly understanding the fact involved in a matter. Alternately, an English speaker might say, “I really mean it,” or use some other more concrete expression of assurance.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Inaventu — On Apr 07, 2014

I think ultimate statements like "read my lips" can backfire on a person, though. If I remember correctly, George H. W. Bush actually ended up introducing several new taxes once he was elected to office. His campaign words came back to haunt him, since his infamous "read my lips" soundbite sounded so definite and final.

People may want to avoid using such expressions as "read my lips" unless they are completely and utterly convinced their statement is clear and immutable. Many people take strong stances on an issue and find themselves having to modify those stances once new facts emerge or old facts are challenged.

By Cageybird — On Apr 07, 2014

I've always translated "read my lips" as a statement of absolute truth. The speaker wants no ambiguity or confusion. That's why it's usually a short, direct statement: "Read my lips: I'm not going to that party." or "Read my lips: you're fired!". I've usually heard people say it after a few attempts to be more diplomatic. When others try to question the statement or look for wiggle room, the response escalates to "read my lips".

Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-read-my-lips-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.