"clam up" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 突然闭嘴
• 缄口不言

Definition

突然停止说话或拒绝开口，尤其是在紧张或想逃避说某些事时。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

非正式用语，适用于人，不适用于物体或动物。多用于因为紧张、害羞或想隐瞒而突然沉默的场景。没有“shut up”那种命令的意思，更强调突然不说话。

Examples

He clams up whenever someone asks about his family.

每当有人问他家里的事时，他就会**突然闭嘴**。

The boy clammed up in front of the big crowd.

男孩在大群人面前**突然闭嘴**了。

When the teacher asked, she just clammed up.

老师问问题时，她只是**突然闭嘴**了。

The moment I mentioned his secret, he completely clammed up.

我一提到他的秘密，他就**一句话也不说了**。

You can't just clam up every time things get tough.

遇到困难你不能总是**缄口不言**。

She usually talks a lot, but she clammed up when the police arrived.

她平时很爱说话，可警察一来她立刻**突然闭嘴**了。