bite tongue

bite one's tongue 

1. Lit. to bite down on one's tongue by accident. Ouch! I bit my tongue!

2. Fig. to struggle not to say something that you really want to say. I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her what I really thought. I sat through that whole silly conversation biting my tongue.

See also: bite, tongue

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bite your tongue

to stop yourself from saying something because it would be better not to, even if you would like to say it I really wanted to tell her what I thought of him but I had to bite my tongue.

See also: bite, tongue

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bite your tongue

to stop yourself from speaking his lack of reply seemed to indicate that he was angry and was biting his tongue.

See also: bite, tongue