button one's lip
Keep mouth shut
To button one's lip is to stop talking or keep quiet, especially when speaking further would be unwise or unwelcome.
The image is of closing the mouth as securely as fastening a button: Button your lip before you say something you'll regret.
Often appears as an imperative.
- clammed upBecame suddenly silent
- zip itCommand to stop speaking
- keep mumRemain silent intentionally
- mum's the wordKeep this secret
- muteWithout voice or sound
quiet · taciturnity · hush · bite your tongue · self-restraint · reticence · shut up · silence · seal your lips · discretion · non-disclosure · hold your tongue · censorship · suppression · lips · stay mum · secrecy · sworn to secrecy
button one's lipspeak up
Talk louder or opine
speak out · open one's mouth · speak freely · speak one's mind · sound off
button one's lipspill the beans
Reveal confidential information
let the cat out of the bag · blab · tell all · divulge · reveal