bit back
Held one's tongue
Bit back describes suppressing an impulse to say or express something.
You bite back words, a retort, tears, or anger—holding them in rather than letting them out: She bit back a sarcastic reply.
The image is of physically stopping something at the mouth before it escapes.
- retortQuick, cutting reply
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- restraintControl over impulses
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- hold one's tongueDeliberately not speak
kept quiet · reply · rebuttal · swallow one's pride · composure · withholding · self-discipline · grit one's teeth · stoicism · silence · patience · sarcasm · turn the other cheek · tension · retaliation · counteraction · temperance · resistance
verbal restraint
bit backblurted out
Uttered impulsively
let slip · burst out · let loose · lashed out · spat out
emotional expression
bit backexploded
Burst violently outward
erupted · lost control · flew off the handle · blew up · let it all out