/poor"mowth'/ , v. , poor-mouthed /-mowtht', -mowdhd'/ , poor-mouthing . Informal.
v.i.
1. to lament or argue that one is too poor; plead poverty.
v.t.
2. to declare (one's ability, power, position, etc.) to be inadequate or disappointing, sometimes as an intentional understatement; downplay: We know you're just poor-mouthing your skill at playing bridge - you're a good player.
3. bad-mouth.
[ 1965-70; Amer.; orig. in v. phrases put up a poor mouth, make a poor mouth ]