button (one's) lip

button (one's) lip

To be quiet. Often used as an imperative. Hey, button your lip! We don't need to hear any more out of you today! Julie knew better than to speak up when her father was so angry, so she buttoned her lip for the moment.
See also: button, lip
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

button (up) one's lip

Fig. to stop talking. (Fixed order.) Please button up your lip! Will you button your lip? I don't want the news to get out.
See also: button, lip
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

button your lip

INFORMAL
If you button your lip, you keep silent about something although you would really like to speak. He had the grace and good sense to button his lip, even though this clearly caused him personal pain. As I entered his sitting room, I started laughing and was met with an impatient glare. I hastily buttoned my lip. Note: If you tell someone to button it or button their lip, you are telling them rudely to be quiet. `What have I done to deserve this?' — `Just button it, Park,' the Chief said.
See also: button, lip
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

button your lip

remain silent. informal
See also: button, lip
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

Button your lip!

imperative Shut up!; Be quiet! I’ve heard enough outa you! Button your lip!
See also: button
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

button your lip

Keep quiet. A twentieth-century Americanism, this expression had been current long enough by 1940 for Raymond Chandler to make a play on it: “Somebody ought to sew buttons on his face” (Farewell, My Lovely).
See also: button, lip
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • button lip
  • button your lip
  • Button your lip!
  • be quiet
  • Be quiet!
  • curl (one's) lip
  • curl your lip
  • butt out
  • Butt out!
  • None of your lip!