empty vessels make the most sound
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: empty barrels make the most noise · empty cans make the most noise
Meaning · English
Talkative, opinionated people are often ignorant.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “empty vessels make the most sound” mean?
Talkative, opinionated people are often ignorant.
Is “empty vessels make the most sound” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.