biting one's tongue
Holding back words
Biting one's tongue is restraining oneself from speaking—holding back words you want to say but know you shouldn't.
The image suggests physically preventing speech: I had to bite my tongue when she criticized my work.
Usually implies the suppressed comment would be rude, hurtful, or inappropriate.
To bite your tongue is to exercise self-control in the face of provocation.
- jawBone holding teeth
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- restraintControl over impulses
- tactSensitivity in speech
diplomacy · politeness · patience · discretion · hush · keeping quiet · holding one's peace · prudence · composure · gum · suppression · swallowing pride · inner struggle · counting to ten · conflict avoidance · sting · cheek · stoicism
biting one's tonguespeaking one's mind
Expressing honest opinions openly
speaking up · speaking freely · speaking out · sounding off · expressing oneself
biting one's tonguelashing out
Aggressive sudden reaction
biting one's tongueblurting out
Impulsive verbal release
shooting from the hip · letting it all hang out · spilling the beans · motormouth · verbal diarrhea
bite, bites, bitten, biting, ones, tongue, tongues, tongued, tongueless