tongue biting
Holding words back
Tongue biting is the act of restraining oneself from speaking, especially when tempted to say something sharp or unwelcome: I did a lot of tongue biting during that meeting.
The phrase captures the physical gesture of literally biting one's tongue to prevent words from escaping.
It can also refer to accidentally biting one's own tongue while eating or talking.
- cheekAudacity or facial side
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- restraintControl over impulses
- keep quietRemain silent
bleeding · pain · wince · silence · sharp words · swallow · bitter · hold back · clamp · jaw · suppress · irritation · sore · nervous · anxiety · refrain · wound · mouth sore
- tongue problemsglossitis, scalloped edges
- seizure symptomsseizure, seizures, convulsion, convulsions, shaking
tongue bitingblurting out
Impulsive verbal release
speaking one's mind · sounding off · letting loose · mouthing off · venting
tongue bitingtactlessness
Absence of social sensitivity
bluntness · candor · outspokenness · forthrightness · brutally honest
tongue bitingconfrontation
Direct hostile encounter
calling out · dressing down · straight talk · telling it like it is