ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put a sock in it

idiom
Meaning

To stop talking; to be quiet; to shut one's mouth.


Origin

disputed origin

Possibly from a crude means of muffling a record player's speaker.

Examples
SIMPLE

Please put a sock in it while I am trying to study.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher told the noisy students to put a sock in it so the lesson could continue.

COMPLEX

Frustrated by the constant interruptions during the meeting, he finally told his colleague to put a sock in it.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    almond Rocks

    [Cockney slang]socks

  2. 02

    fox's socks

    Something or someone that is ideal or very pleasing.

  3. 03

    knock someone's socks off

    To impress greatly; amaze; stun.

  4. 04

    not to put too fine a point on it

    Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.

  5. 05

    one's socks off

    With a large amount of effort or intensity.

  6. 06

    pull one's socks up

    To start making an effort; to renew or redouble one's efforts.

  7. 07

    put a band-aid on a bullet wound

    To inadequately treat a serious situation.

  8. 08

    put a blanket over

    Make (something) seem less serious.

Last updated April 17, 2026