guards one's tongue
Watches one's words
To guard one's tongue is to speak carefully, avoiding words that might offend, reveal secrets, or cause trouble.
The phrase suggests deliberate restraint—holding back what you might otherwise say: She learned to guard her tongue around her mother-in-law.
Someone who doesn't guard their tongue speaks too freely and often regrets it.
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- self-censorshipRestraining one's own expression
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
holds one's peace · keeps mum · mindfulness · decorum · temperance · carefulness · silence · circumspection · moderation · tact · courtesy · mind your manners · respectfulness · graciousness · thoughtfulness · appropriateness · diplomacy · consideration
guards one's tongueblurts out
Says impulsively, unfiltered
shoots from the hip · blabs · loose lips · loose-lipped · spills the beans
guards one's tongueputs one's foot in one's mouth
Says something inadvertently offensive
says the quiet part out loud · speaks out of turn · speaks one's mind · tells it like it is · overshares
guards one's tonguespills the beans
Divulges confidential information
lets the cat out of the bag · blabs · gossips · tells all · tattles
guard, guards, guarded, guarding, guardian, guardians, guardianship, safeguard, safeguards