keep a civil tongue
Mind your manners
To keep a civil tongue is to speak politely and avoid rude or offensive language, especially when provoked or in tense situations.
The phrase usually appears as a command or admonition: Keep a civil tongue in your head.
Someone who fails to keep a civil tongue speaks disrespectfully or loses their temper in speech.
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- mind your mannersAdmonition to be courteous
- decorumFitting social conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- common courtesyExpected polite behavior
respectfulness · etiquette · good manners · tactfulness · manners · composure · self-control · temperance · tone · restraint · de-escalation · deference · watch your mouth · diplomacy · graciousness · social grace · play nice · speech
keep a civil tonguehurl insults
berate · bad-mouth · talk trash · mouth off · lash out
keep a civil tonguefly off the handle
Lose temper suddenly
lose one's temper · explode · rant and rave · let someone have it · blow up
keep, kept, keeper, keepers, keeping, upkeep, gatekeeper, goalkeeper, housekeeper