hold one's tongue

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At least this once, one could hold one's tongue.

From Time Magazine Archive

Heaven! sir," said she—"Well, I must not speak, and yet it is certainly very hard to be obliged to hold one's tongue when one hears."—"

From History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry

Anyhow, it seemed quite impossible to hold one's tongue that afternoon.

From My Young Days by Konewka, Paul

V. be silent &c. adj.; keep silence, keep mum; hold one's tongue, hold one's peace, hold one's jaw; not speak. &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark

The vast moral importance of being able to hold one's tongue, the golden resources of silence, should be emphasized by the teacher.

From The Moral Instruction of Children by Adler, Felix