What Does 'Bite Your Tongue' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句） -N0.514-

What Does 'Bite Your Tongue' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句)


Introduction:

Have you ever wanted to say something but held yourself back? That’s exactly what the English idiom "bite your tongue" is all about. It's a common phrase used when someone chooses not to say something they really want to.


1. What Does 'Bite Your Tongue' Mean?

"Bite your tongue" means to stop yourself from saying something, usually because it might be rude, inappropriate, or cause conflict. It’s often used when someone is trying to be polite or avoid an argument.


2. When to Use It

You would use "bite your tongue" when talking about holding back a comment, especially one that might upset someone or stir up trouble.


Example:

A: I wanted to tell her the truth about her idea, but I bit my tongue.

B: Probably a good call—it wasn't the right time.


3. 日本語の同じような表現

日本語では、「口をつぐむ」や「言いたいことを我慢する」といった表現が似ています。どちらも、自分の考えや本音をあえて言わずに我慢するという意味合いがあります。


Conclusion:

If you ever find yourself holding back words to keep the peace or avoid saying something harsh, you're "biting your tongue." It's a useful phrase to describe moments when silence is wiser than speaking out.












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