hold your tongue

hold (one's) tongue

To stay quiet despite wanting to say something If you want to say something rude to my girlfriend, please hold your tongue, all right?
See also: hold, tongue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold your tongue

If you hold your tongue, you do not speak. Douglas held his tongue, preferring not to speak out on a politically sensitive issue. Note: People sometimes say hold your tongue as an angry way of telling someone to be quiet. `Hold your tongue, woman,' he had warned her furiously.
See also: hold, tongue
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hold your tongue

remain silent. informal
See also: hold, tongue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌhold your ˈpeace/ˈtongue

(old-fashioned) say nothing; remain silent although you would like to give your opinion: We don’t want anyone to know what’s happened, so you’d better hold your tongue — do you understand? I didn’t want to start another argument, so I held my peace.
See also: hold, peace, tongue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • hold (one's) tongue
  • hold one's tongue
  • hold tongue
  • Hold your tongue!
  • hold off doing
  • hold off from (doing something)
  • hold with
  • hold with (something)
  • hold accountable
  • accountable
References in periodicals archive
George Eliot Community School, in Raveloe Drive, has signed up for Macmillan Cancer Relief's Hold Your Tongue Challenge.
Pupils to keep quiet for cancer charity
Your daughter-in-law's a disgrace but she's still their mum so in front of them hold your tongue - but let fly when they're not around.
JustJoan: My fiancAe wants her mum to live with us
This will be the seventh annual Hold your Tongue challenge.
EAR EAR: Kids clam up for charity cash
CHARITY fundraisers are calling on teachers, parents and youth group leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire to register for Macmillan Cancer Relief's Hold Your Tongue Challenge.
Sign up for a silent charity challenge
Deeney said: "Transfer windows are a frustrating time as you have to sit and hold your tongue when people say things and they don't know the full facts.
DEENEY A DREAM TRAIN
So really, if you know you aren't going to be able to hold your tongue, far better to get out now.
Just Joan: Concerned about boyfriend's poor diet
They will have the chance to take part in the Hold Your Tongue 10-minute sponsored silence on February 26.
Hush to raise cash for appeal
So, hold your tongue and remember the plaster will soon be gone as will the whole problem, hopefully.
Just Joan: Our trust has broken down
The date for the silence, named Hold Your Tongue, has been set for February 26.
The sounds of silence to boost charity
IF you didn't hold your tongue 350 years ago, then there was something which would do it for you...
Crimes of the centuries; World of law and disorder on show at museum exhibition
So if you find your blood pressure rising on a flight this festive season: breathe deeply, hold your tongue and go easy on the drink.
AIR RAGE IS BECOMING A REGULAR MENACE; STATESIDE
Take a leaf out of the "good book" Iris - Job 13/19, "So hold your tongue while I have my say, then I'll take whatever I have coming to me".
A NEW JOB FOR IRIS?
Until she asks for your help, your difficult task is to hold your tongue and be prepared to pick up the pieces.
Dear MIRIAM: Charmer is a bully at home; LETTER OF THE DAY
The Hold Your Tongue campaign was piloted last year in 300 schools and raised pounds 150,000 for cancer care.
Family Health Medical Zone: Play it safe with your Valentine's passion
Both of you sit down with her, hold your tongues and ask her where she wants to go.
EX AND I CAN'T AGREE ABOUT GIRL'S SCHOOL; dearcoleen@dailyrecord.co.uk MONDAY