Definition

Verb phrase: - To be cautious in one's words, to hold one's tongue, to watch one's mouth: To be careful about what one says to avoid negative consequences, trouble, or revealing secrets. It emphasizes verbal restraint and discretion.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trong cuộc họp quan trọng đó, anh ấy đã giữ miệng và chỉ lắng nghe. (In that important meeting, he held his tongue and only listened.)
  • Cô ấy biết giữ miệng, không bao giờ tiết lộ bí mật của người khác. (She knows how to be cautious with her words and never reveals others' secrets.)
  • Đôi khi tốt nhất là nên giữ miệng để tránh xung đột không cần thiết. (Sometimes it's best to watch your mouth to avoid unnecessary conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• "Giữ mồm giữ miệng": An intensified form of "giữ miệng," placing even stronger emphasis on the need for extreme caution and restraint in speech.
  • Vụ việc này rất nhạy cảm, cậu phải giữ mồm giữ miệng đấy. (This matter is very sensitive; you must be extremely careful with your words.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giữ lời (Verb phrase): To keep one's word, to be true to one's promise. (Note: While related to verbal behavior, "giữ lời" focuses on promise-keeping, not caution.)
• Im lặng (Verb/Adjective): To be silent, to keep quiet. (This refers to the state of not speaking, whereas "giữ miệng" implies conscious choice and caution potentially speaking.)
• Thận trọng (Adjective/Verb): To be cautious, prudent. (A general term for caution, which can apply to speech as part of "giữ miệng.")

Synonyms

• Cẩn trọng trong lời nói: To be prudent in speech.
• Kiềm chế lời nói: To restrain one's words.

Related Idioms

• "Ăn trông nồi, ngồi trông hướng, nói trông người": (Look at the pot when eating, look at the direction when sitting, look at the person when speaking.) An idiom teaching situational awareness and caution, including in speech.
• "Lời nói gió bay": (Words fly away like the wind.) An idiom reminding that spoken words cannot be taken back, underscoring the importance of "giữ miệng."

1. Be cautious in one's words, hold one's tongue
   • Giữ mồm giữ miệng như giữ miệng (ý mạnh hơn)