bite one's tongue

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === bite one's tongue (third-person singular simple present bites one's tongue, present participle biting one's tongue, simple past bit one's tongue, past participle bitten one's tongue) (intransitive, idiomatic) To resist the urge to speak out, especially in order to avoid saying something inappropriate or likely to cause a dispute. Synonym: bite one's lip ==== Usage notes ==== Often used in the imperative mood, to admonish someone who has said something unfeeling or harsh: ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== hold one's tongue guard one's tongue cat got someone's tongue