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mutter

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mutter (something) under (one's) breath

1. To say threatening, consternated, or disgruntled remarks in a very soft or indistinct voice, such that no one else can hear or understand them clearly. "You'll get what's coming to you one of these days," Janet muttered under her breath. Steven stormed off to his room, muttering curses under his breath.

2. To say threatening, consternated, or disgruntled remarks in a very soft or indistinct voice, such that no one else can hear or understand them clearly. "You'll get what's coming to you one of these days," Janet muttered under her breath. Steven stormed off to his room, muttering curses under his breath.

See also: breath, mutter

mutter about someone or something

to grumble or complain about someone or something. Are you muttering about me? What is your complaint? Why is everyone muttering about the food here? It is excellent.

See also: mutter

mutter something about someone or something

to say something softly and indistinctly about someone or something. I heard him mutter something about being late. Sharon is muttering something about Dave. What does she mean?

See also: mutter

*under one's breath

Fig. [spoken] so softly that almost no one can hear it. (*Typically: curse ~; curse some-one or something ~; mutter ~; mutter something ~; say something ~.) John was muttering something under his breath, and I don't think it was very pleasant. I'm glad he said it under his breath. If he had said it out loud, it would have caused an argument.

See also: breath

under your breath

to say something quietly so that others cannot hear your exact words The passenger next to me was angry over the delay and kept grumbling about the airline under his breath.

See also: breath

under your breath

if you say something under your breath, you say it very quietly so that people cannot hear the exact words 'I don't believe you.' she muttered under her breath.

See catch breath, Don't hold your breath, waste breath

See also: breath