hold tongue

hold one's tongue

Fig. to refrain from speaking; to refrain from saying something unpleasant. I felt like scolding her, but I held my tongue. Hold your tongue, John. You can't talk to me that way!

See also: hold, tongue

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hold your tongue  (old-fashioned)

to stop talking George had learned to accept these little insults. He held his tongue.

See also: hold, tongue

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hold your tongue

to say nothing or to stop speaking He wanted to tell her the secret but wisely decided to hold his tongue.

See also: hold, tongue