Back to dictionary
Kibitz
KIB-its • Verb
קיבעץ
Snappy Essence
To offer unprompted, highly annoying, and completely unsolicited advice, typically as a bystander.
Nuance
Standard backseat driving. It is the art of standing directly behind someone trying to solve a complex puzzle, repair a sink, or play cards, and offering constant commentary without helping.
Pro-Pronunciation Tip
Rhymes with 'tibits'. Say the first syllable sharply to mimic the sudden, intrusive nature of the bystander's advice.
Examples in the wild
Classic
"Stop kibitzing while I play chess; if you want to make a move, sit down and play me!"
Modern Yinglish
"I was trying to debug the checkout flow and the CEO stood behind me kibitzing about the button color."
Mishegas Meter7/10