hold one's tongue

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English

Pronunciation

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Verb

hold one's tongue (third-person singular simple present holds one's tongue, present participle holding one's tongue, simple past and past participle held one's tongue)

  1. (idiomatic) To refrain from talking about something.
    I don't like his political ideas, but I will hold my tongue.
    • 1837 March, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Relates How Oliver Twist Was Very Near Getting a Place, Which Would Not Have Been a Sinecure”, in Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress. , volume I, London: Richard Bentley, , published 1838, →OCLC, page 48:
      “Hold your tongue, beadle,” said the second old gentleman, when Mr. Bumble had given vent to this compound adjective.
      “I beg your worship’s pardon,” said Mr. Bumble, incredulous of his having heard aright,—“did your worship speak to me?”
      “Yes—hold your tongue.”

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