bite tongue
Hold back words
To bite one's tongue is to stop oneself from saying something, usually to avoid conflict or offense: I wanted to tell him he was wrong, but I bit my tongue.
The image is of physically restraining speech.
The phrase almost always appears with a possessive: bite my tongue, bite your tongue.
Bite your tongue! as a command means "Don't say that" or "Take that back."
- hold backPrevent forward movement
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- keep quietRemain silent
- zip itCommand to stop speaking
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
self-control · think before speaking · patience · count to ten · diplomacy · keep the peace · suppress · inner conflict · pain · grit your teeth · blood · sharp · teeth · cheek · wince · regret · unsaid · frustration
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
- injuriesbruise, fracture, sprain, fractures, concussion
- silencequiet, silent, mute, hush, stillness
- hush commandsshh, shhh, ssh, hush up, be silent
- cautioncareful, be careful, cautious, caution, watch out
- moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
bite tonguespeak up
Talk louder or opine
speak out · speak one's mind · speak freely · say one's piece · let it out
bite tonguetell it like it is
Speak with complete candor
give someone a piece of one's mind · let someone have it · call out · confront · lay into
bite tongueblurt out
Utter suddenly, impulsively
let slip · spill the beans · shoot from the hip · run one's mouth · mouth off
bite, tongue, biting, bitten, bit, bites, biter, tongues, tongued