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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Bite your tongue

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I had to bite my tongue when the speaker repeated the same mistake.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.
Show the answer

Bite your tongue — To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Bite your tongue” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

Compare: I had to bite my tongue when the speaker repeated the same mistake.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this expression when describing holding back a comment, often to avoid an argument or an unkind remark. It is conversational.

More examples in context

  • Sometimes you need to bite your tongue rather than make a sarcastic comment.
  • She bit her tongue and waited for a calmer moment to discuss the problem.

Usage note

Change your to match the person. The past form is bit my tongue. The idiom describes restraint in speaking; a literal tongue injury has a different meaning. Holding back a comment need not mean agreeing.

A short conversation

A: Did you tell him his joke was unkind?
B: I bit my tongue during the meeting, but I will speak to him privately.
A: That may give you both space to talk.

One more practice question

Who is biting their tongue?

A. Someone who wants to make a remark but deliberately holds it back.
B. Someone who immediately says every thought aloud.

Check your answer

A. The person restrains the comment they want to make.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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