English Reference
Idiom idiom

loosen someone's lips


To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

A little bit of wine often loosens someone's lips.

CONTEXTUAL

The detective hoped that offering the suspect a warm meal would loosen his lips about the crime.

COMPLEX

The journalist knew that a relaxed atmosphere and a few thoughtful questions were the best tools to loosen someone's lips during an interview.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  5. 05

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  6. 06

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  7. 07

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

  8. 08

    be someone's to lose

    To be anticipated to be won by someone.

Last updated August 10, 2026