hurler on the ditch

hurler on the ditch

A person who offers unsolicited criticism or advice about something in which they are not an active participant. Taken from the sport of hurling, a player of which is a hurler. Primarily heard in Ireland. All these people condemning the political process from social media, many of whom I'm sure don't vote, are just hurlers on the ditch in my opinion.
See also: ditch, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • never give advice unless asked
  • a free bit of advice
  • advice
  • cold call
  • nothing is given so freely as advice
  • get off to a false start
  • be off to a false start
  • ride the pine
  • get in there
  • go out for
References in periodicals archive
He may be right - it is easy to shout loud from the fence, to be the hurler on the ditch.
Sales of Hurler On The Ditch, memoirs of former political correspondent and Ombudsman Michael Mills, and Always Me, Dickie Rock's biography, will be tax-free.