keep one’s lips sealed: Idiom Meaning and Origin

keep one's mouth shut is a related idiom that conveys the same idea as "keep one's lips sealed." It means to refrain from speaking or divulging information. Both idioms emphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality and not revealing sensitive or confidential information. Whether one keeps their lips sealed or their mouth shut, the goal is to avoid speaking out or sharing secrets.

A similar idiom to "keep one's lips sealed" is "keep quiet." This expression also means to refrain from speaking or making noise. However, "keep quiet" can also imply maintaining silence more broadly, not just in terms of keeping secrets. Similar to "keep one's lips sealed," "keep quiet" emphasizes the importance of discretion and not sharing information that should be kept private.

Another related idiom is "keep mum." This expression is similar in meaning to "keep one's lips sealed" and "keep quiet." It means to remain silent or refrain from speaking. "Keep mum" is often used in contexts where it is important to maintain secrecy or avoid revealing information. It emphasizes the importance of not sharing information that should be kept confidential.

"keep shtum" is yet another idiom that conveys the same idea as "keep one's lips sealed." This expression is more informal and is commonly used to mean "keep quiet" or "keep silent." Like the other idioms, "keep shtum" emphasizes the importance of discretion and not revealing sensitive or confidential information.

Lastly, "hold one's tongue" is a related idiom that means to refrain from speaking. It is similar in meaning to "keep one's lips sealed" and emphasizes the importance of exercising self-control and not speaking impulsively. This idiom can be used in various contexts to convey the idea of refraining from speaking out, particularly when it is important to maintain discretion or avoid divulging information.

The idiom "keep one's lips sealed" is related to several other idioms, including "keep one's mouth shut," "keep quiet," "keep mum," "keep shtum," and "hold one's tongue." These idioms all convey the importance of maintaining confidentiality, exercising self-control, and refraining from speaking or revealing sensitive information. Whether it's keeping one's lips sealed, one's mouth shut, or holding one's tongue, the underlying message is to keep quiet and not share information that should be kept private.