held one's peace
Kept quiet deliberately
To hold one's peace is to remain silent, especially when you might be expected or tempted to speak.
The phrase appears in traditional wedding ceremonies: If anyone knows why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Outside that context, it suggests deliberate restraint—choosing not to voice an objection, opinion, or grievance: I disagreed with the decision but held my peace.
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- quietLacking in sound
- taciturnityDisinclined to speak
- muteWithout voice or sound
- zipped lipsSworn to secrecy
kept quiet · silent treatment · reticence · said nothing · patience · let it go · decorum · composure · hush · bit one's tongue · self-possession · stiff upper lip · discretion · tact · reserve · unspoken · stoicism · stillness
held one's peacespoke up
Expressed oneself aloud
spoke out · said one's piece · sounded off · piped up · chimed in
held one's peaceblew up
Burst from pressure
lost one's temper · flew off the handle · let loose · exploded · lashed out
held one's peacemade a scene
Behaved dramatically in public
protested · stirred the pot · rocked the boat · made waves · challenged
held, holds, holding, holdings, holder, holders, beheld, behold, beholden