Bite your tongue Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪt/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈtəŋ
BYT yor TUNG
bˈaɪt/ /jˈɔː/ /tˈʌŋ
BYT yaw TUNG
Definition
To stop yourself from saying something, usually because it might be rude, inappropriate, or cause trouble.
Usage & Nuances
Idiom; informal and sometimes humorous. Used when you want to say something but choose to stay silent. Common in phrases like 'I had to bite my tongue.' Not about physically biting, but self-control over speech.
Spanish: morderte la lenguaPortuguese (BR): morder a línguaPortuguese (PT): morder a línguaChinese (Simplified): 忍住不说Chinese (Traditional): 忍住不說Hindi: अपनी ज़बान पर नियंत्रण रखनाArabic: اكتم كلامك - امسك لسانكBengali: নিজেকে চুপ থাকতে বাধ্য করা - জিভ কামড়ে ধরা (প্রতিকী অর্থে)Russian: прикусить языкJapanese: 口をつぐむ - 言いたいことを我慢するVietnamese: nín lời - cố nhịn không nói raKorean: 입을 다물다 - 하고 싶은 말을 참다Turkish: dilini tutmak - lafını yutmakUrdu: زبان کو دانتوں تلے دبانا - خاموش رہناIndonesian: menahan diri untuk tidak bicara - menggigit lidah (idiomatik)
Example Sentences
I had to bite my tongue so I didn’t say something mean.
basic
Sometimes it’s better to bite your tongue during an argument.
basic
He wanted to complain but decided to bite his tongue instead.
basic
"Just bite your tongue and let it go," she whispered.
natural
I had to really bite my tongue when my boss blamed me for his mistake.
natural
You'd better bite your tongue if you can't say anything nice.
natural