English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Zip your lip
Meaning
The idiom "zip your lip" means to be quiet or stop talking, especially when someone is asking you to. It can also mean to close one's mouth or to not say anything. The figurative meaning of the idiom is to shut up and not make any unnecessary noise or distractions.
Usage
- "Can you please zip your lip during the meeting?" - This sentence suggests that someone is talking too much during a meeting and the speaker wants them to be quiet.
- "I told him to zip his lip when he started yelling at me." - In this sentence, the speaker is saying that they told someone to stop talking when they were getting angry.
- "We need to zip our lips and focus on the task at hand." - This sentence suggests that everyone needs to be quiet and focused in order to complete a task successfully.
- "I told her to zip her lip when she started gossiping about me." - In this sentence, the speaker is saying that they told someone to stop talking about them when they were spreading rumors.
- "The manager told us to zip our lips and not ask any questions during the presentation." - This sentence suggests that the manager wants everyone to be quiet and not interrupt during a presentation.
Roots and History
The idiom "zip your lip" has been in use since at least the mid-20th century. It may have originated from the phrase "zip up your coat," which means to close one's jacket or coat. Over time, this phrase evolved into "zip your lips," which means to be quiet and not talk.
Synonyms in English
- Keep quiet
- Hold your tongue
- Say nothing
- Stay silent
- Maintain a low profile
Synonyms in other languages
| Language | Synonym | Description | |------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | French | Tairez-vous | To be quiet or stop talking | | German | Schweigen lassen | To be silent or not say anything | | Italian | Chiudere la bocca | To close one's mouth or to not talk | | Spanish | Cerrar la boca | To close one's mouth or to not talk | | Japanese | 口を閉めて | To close one's mouth or to not talk |