"loose talk"

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ju

Key Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Barack Obama has warned against "loose talk" of a war with Iran and insisted sanctions must be given time to prevent the country pursuing nuclear weapons.

What is the meaning of "loose talk" in the above sentence?

Thank you.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Careless, provocative, undiplomatic, etc
 

BobSmith

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2012
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Careless, provocative, undiplomatic, etc

[AmE - not a teacher]

"Loose talk" certainly means all of these things, but I think the cited usage might also entail "unsanctioned" or "unofficial" or "premature".
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top