English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence (corrected): I did not mind what he was saying; he was only talking through his hat.

Introduction / Context:
The idiom “to talk through one’s hat” means to talk nonsense or talk without knowledge. It is a dismissive way to say that someone’s statements have no substance. The sentence signals indifference to the speaker’s words, which aligns with this idiomatic meaning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: talking through his hat.
• Speaker’s stance: “I did not mind what he was saying.”
• Options cover several negative speaking behaviors.

Concept / Approach:
While ignorance and irresponsibility can accompany nonsense, the set meaning of the idiom targets the content’s worth: it is baseless or foolish. Therefore, “talking nonsense” is the most accurate single-phrase substitute. “Talking ignorantly” is close but narrower, focusing on the speaker’s knowledge rather than the utterance’s value.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase: “I ignored him; he was just talking nonsense.” This perfectly matches the pragmatic effect of the original sentence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• talking ignorantly: Might be true, but the idiom formally centers on nonsense, not merely ignorance.
• talking irresponsibly: Moral judgment, not idiomatic sense.
• talking insultingly: Concerns rudeness, absent from the context.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing near-synonyms that are not the canonical gloss of the idiom. Examiners typically expect the textbook mapping “talk nonsense.”

Final Answer:
talking nonsense