cacarear

Literally, for a hen (or rooster) to cackle/crow repeatedly; figuratively, and just as commonly, to boast or brag loudly about something, especially before it's actually accomplished. The figurative sense is the one learners run into most, in journalism and everyday complaints about people who talk big.

• La gallina cacareó después de poner el huevo. — The hen cackled after laying the egg.
• El político cacareó su triunfo antes incluso de que se contaran los votos. — The politician bragged about his win before the votes were even counted.
• No cacarees tanto y demuéstralo con hechos. — Stop boasting so much and prove it with results.

In its figurative sense, cacarear implies boasting about something not yet delivered or proven — using it for someone simply stating a fact (afirmar, declarar) overstates the tone; it always carries a note of skepticism or mockery.

• expression Quien mucho cacarea, poco pone — A well-known Spanish proverb — literally "whoever cackles a lot lays little" — used to mock people who boast loudly about accomplishments they haven't actually delivered, the rough equivalent of "all talk, no action."