ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shut one's trap

idiom
Meaning

To stop talking; to be quiet.


Origin

disputed origin

From the slang use of trap in reference to a person's mouth.

Examples
SIMPLE

Please shut your trap while I am working.

CONTEXTUAL

He kept complaining about the rules until his boss told him to shut his trap.

COMPLEX

Despite the mounting tension in the room, he refused to shut his trap, continuing to provoke his rivals with every word he uttered.

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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