bite your tongue

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

to stop yourself from saying something you want to say, either because it would be inappropriate, hurtful, or impolitic to express it in the current situation; the physical image of literally biting one's tongue to prevent speech captures the deliberate, effortful nature of restraining one's words; it is used when prudence, tact, or social obligation requires suppressing an honest reaction or a potentially offensive remark