guarding one's tongue
Watching your words
Guarding one's tongue means being careful about what you say—exercising restraint to avoid speaking rashly, offensively, or indiscreetly.
The phrase treats speech as something that must be held back, like a guard restraining an unruly prisoner: She learned to guard her tongue around her in-laws.
Often carries moral or prudential weight, suggesting that unguarded speech leads to trouble.
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- social graceEase in company
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
think before you speak · prudence · tactfulness · circumspection · wisdom · temperance · impulse control · emotional regulation · silence · keeping mum · moderation · self-discipline · discernment · courtesy · graciousness · decorum · respectfulness · carefulness
guarding one's tongueblurting out
Impulsive verbal release
shooting from the hip · loose lips · verbal diarrhea · spouting off · motor mouth
guarding one's tonguespilling the beans
Disclosing confidential information
letting the cat out of the bag · blabbing · tattling · gossiping · leaking secrets
guarding one's tonguespeaking one's mind
Expressing honest opinions openly
putting one's foot in one's mouth · speaking out of turn · insulting · lashing out
guard, guarding, guards, guarded, guardedly, guardian, guardians, guardianship, unguarded