shut one's mouth
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb phrase: - To stop talking, especially to stop revealing information or to keep a secret. It implies a deliberate cessation of speech, often to maintain confidentiality or to avoid saying something inappropriate.
Usage
This phrase is a direct and often informal or forceful instruction to stop speaking. It is commonly used in two contexts: 1. To demand silence: Used as a command to tell someone to be quiet. 2. To advise discretion: Used to advise someone to stop talking to avoid revealing a secret or sensitive information.
Examples
- As a command for silence:
- "Just shut your mouth and listen for a minute!"
- He told the noisy children to shut their mouths.
- As advice for discretion:
- If you know what's good for you, you'll shut your mouth about what you saw.
- She decided to shut her mouth and not mention the surprise party.
Advanced Usage
- "To know when to shut one's mouth": This implies having the wisdom or discretion to remain silent at the appropriate time to avoid trouble.
- A good politician knows when to shut his mouth.
- Used reflexively: "shut my/your/his/her/our/their mouth".
- I should have just shut my mouth during the meeting.
Variants and Related Words
- Keep one's mouth shut: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably. It can sound slightly less abrupt than "shut one's mouth".
- The secret is safe if everyone keeps their mouth shut.
- Button one's lip: An informal idiom with a similar meaning.
- Zip it: A very informal, modern slang equivalent.
Synonyms
- Be quiet
- Hold one's tongue
- Keep silent
- Say nothing
Related Idioms
- Shut your trap: A more informal and sometimes ruder synonym for "shut your mouth".
- Loose lips sink ships: An idiom warning that careless talk can cause serious problems, related to the concept of keeping one's mouth shut.
Verb
- refrain from divulging sensitive information; keep quiet about confidential information
- Don't tell him any secrets--he cannot keep his mouth shut!