bites one's tongue
Suppresses an outburst
To bite one's tongue is to hold back from saying something, usually with effort.
The image is of physically restraining speech: I wanted to tell him he was wrong, but I bit my tongue.
Often implies suppressing criticism, anger, or an opinion that might cause conflict.
- withholdRefuse to give
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- restraintControl over impulses
- decorumFitting social conduct
stifle · silence · zip it · keep quiet · pause · count to ten · patience · keep mum · composure · cool one's jets · diplomacy · prudence · think twice · tactfulness · reserve · unspoken · discretion · mute
bites one's tonguespeaks one's mind
Expresses honest opinion directly
speaks up · sounds off · talks back · tells it like it is · chimes in
bites one's tonguelashes out
Attacks suddenly in anger
blows up · loses one's temper · confronts · mouths off · talks back
bites one's tongueblurts out
Says impulsively, unfiltered
tells it like it is · shoots from the hip · speaks out of turn · spills the beans · puts one's foot in one's mouth
bite, bites, bitten, biting, biter, ones, oneself, tongue, tongues