🤐 My Lips Are Sealed: The Secret World of Keeping Mum 🎭
Overview
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you”—no cliché is as iconic as the one that implies absolute secrecy. “My lips are sealed” dates back in various forms, used to indicate confidential information won’t be disclosed. Let’s take a fun look into this phrase, its cousins, and its entertaining uses!
Definition
My lips are sealed: A promise of keeping a secret, assuring that one won’t talk or reveal confidential information.
Related Terms and Expressions
- Mum’s the word: Don’t say anything, keep quiet!
- Silent as the grave: Absolutely silent, often regarding secrets.
- Cat got your tongue?: Why aren’t you speaking?
- Button your lip: Stay quiet; don’t reveal secrets.
- Keep it under your hat: Keep something a secret.
- Loose lips sink ships: Careless talk can lead to trouble.
Synonyms
- Tight-lipped
- Close-mouthed
- Husk-lipped
- Clammed up
Antonyms
- Gossiping
- Blabber-mouthed
- Chatterbox
- Inquisitive
Witty Quotes 🗣️
- “The only way to keep your secrets from mother is to tell them in front of father.” —Countess of Blessington
- “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.” —Benjamin Franklin
- “If you want to inspire confidence, give plenty of it; if you want to keep a secret, don’t tell it.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Proverbs and References 📜
- “He who is silent is taken to agree”: From Roman legal principle, implying silence may imply consent.
- “Walls have ears”: Used to caution that conversations might be overheard.
- “Still waters run deep”: Quiet people have profound thoughts.
Inspirational Thought 💭
“To understand the world, you need to understand a lot of words, but to keep your own little secret, sometimes no words are the best." —Anonymous
Suggest Reading, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies 🎬
- Literature: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee - secrets of a small town.
- Books: “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides - a challenging therapeutic secret.
- Songs: “Secrets” by OneRepublic - exploring people’s hidden sides.
- Poetry: “Silence” by Edgar Lee Masters - brooding on the quiet of secrets.
- Movies: “The Da Vinci Code” - untangling secretive puzzles and ancient secrets.
Quizzes 🧠
### Which of these is an idiomatic expression meaning "keep a secret"?
- [x] My lips are sealed
- [ ] Elephants can't dance
- [ ] Cloud nine
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
> **Explanation:** "My lips are sealed" means not revealing a secret. The others mean different things or nothing at all.
### What does "loose lips sink ships" mean?
- [ ] Eating chocolate creates storms
- [x] Careless talk can cause problems
- [ ] Ships can be sunk by storms
- [ ] Lips are incapable of being tight
> **Explanation:** "Loose lips sink ships" means that careless talking can cause serious trouble, originally from wartime.
### True or False: "Button your lip" means to keep another’s secret.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "Button your lip" instructs someone to remain silent or keep a secret.
### What phrase can be used to describe someone who won't reveal information?
- [x] Tight-lipped
- [ ] Open book
- [ ] Blabber-mouth
- [ ] Loose cannon
> **Explanation:** "Tight-lipped" means they are not likely to reveal information, unlike an "open book" or "blabber-mouth."
### Which of these phrases suggests someone was prompted to stay silent?
- [ ] Loud and proud
- [ ] Breath of fresh air
- [x] Cat got your tongue?
- [ ] In over your head
> **Explanation:** "Cat got your tongue?" suggests someone is unusually or promptedly silent.
Farewell, dear reader! Remember, while some moments call for sealed lips, other moments deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. Always find the balance. 🌟
With wordy regards,
P. C. Wordsmith
