con la boca pequeña

1.
SpainLatin Americacolloquialinformal
- Said reluctantly, half-heartedly, or without genuine conviction; uttered with reservations.
- Used to indicate that a speaker professes something but does not truly believe it or is not fully committed.
2.
SpainLatin Americacolloquialinformal
- Spoken quietly, in a subdued tone, or under one's breath; expressed in a low or discreet manner.

Examples:

ES: Uno con la boca pequeña y buena mata de pelo...
EN: Someone with a small mouth and good hair ...
ES: ¿No con la boca pequeña o no en absoluto?
EN: No, like "diminished", or "none at all"?
ES: Taverts les dijo con la boca pequeña que ayudaría, pero no te hagas ilusiones.
EN: Taverts gave lip service about helping, but don't hold your breath.
ES: -Julio a veces decía que esa, la de ese momento, iba a ser su última cobertura, pero lo decía con la boca pequeña, ¿no? Yo no me lo creo.
EN: Julio Fuentes used to say that the current job would be his last, but always unconvincingly.