Meanings
1) In reference to cattle ranchers and the hats they stereotypically wear. 2) Comes from people wearing cowboy hats as fashion, but are not cowboys, i.e., pretentious, phony, a poser.
How to pronounce "all hat and no cattle":
AU
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
Example Sentences
1
He talks a big game but he's all hat and no cattle.
2
Don't pay attention to Steve, he's just all hat and no cattle.
3
She claims to be a skilled chef, but she's all hat and no cattle.
4
He acts like a tough guy, but he's really all hat and no cattle.
5
The politician made bold promises, but turned out to be all hat and no cattle.
