call a lid

1. To state that no more news will be released by the White House or a political campaign for a given period of time. The press secretary called a lid, so we won't be getting any more updates on the bill tonight. Sir, this is no time to call a lid! The public needs to know how we're addressing this humanitarian crisis! Why are so many reporters milling around outside? I thought the campaign had called a lid for the night.

2. To state that the president or a presidential candidate will not be making public appearances for a particular period of time. A: "I thought the president was going to be campaigning today." B: "Nope, his campaign called a lid, apparently. Wonder what prompted the change in plans." Hey, there's no need for us to go to that factory—the president's team called a lid, so he won't be visiting there today. Apparently, the president's daughter is quite ill all of a sudden—that's why his staff called a lid.