Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

keep one's mouth shut

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.13 in modern English

Syllables: keep- one's -mouth shut
IPA

31

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

3

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly; broadly, to refrain from speaking altogether.

Example Sentences

"Near-synonym: keep it in the family"
"He thought that he could get him a regular salary if he would come to Packingtown and do as he was told, and keep his mouth shut."
"Charles has failed to follow the example of his mother, the queen, who has heroically kept her mouth shut for more than 50 years."
"He said he had raised his concerns about the invasion with senior embassy staff several times. "I was told to keep my mouth shut in order to avoid ramifications," he said."

Inflected Forms

keeps one's mouth shut (present, singular) keeping one's mouth shut (participle, present) kept one's mouth shut (participle, past) kept one's mouth shut (past)

Phrases

code of silence blue code of silence wall of silence blue wall of silence

Frequently Paired Words

code of silence blue code of silence omertà wall of silence blue wall of silence

Synonyms

keep one's lips sealed keep one's own counsel STFU STFD clam up zip it keep it in the family keep quiet shut one's mouth

Questions

What does keep one's mouth shut mean?: To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly; broadly, to refrain from speaking altogether.

How to pronounce keep one's mouth shut

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