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REFERENCE

keep one's mouth shut

idiom
Meaning

To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly; broadly, to refrain from speaking altogether.


Examples
SIMPLE

Please keep your mouth shut about the surprise party.

CONTEXTUAL

The boss told me the news early, but I had to keep my mouth shut until the official announcement.

COMPLEX

Despite the intense pressure from the investigators to reveal his accomplice, he chose to keep his mouth shut and face the consequences alone.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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