Button one's lip
Meaning
To stop talking or remain silent, especially to avoid revealing information or to prevent speaking impulsively.
Origin
The phrase "button one's lip" paints a vivid picture of literally fastening one's mouth shut to prevent speech from escaping. This imagery gained popularity in the early 20th century, a time when buttons were a ubiquitous part of daily life, used to secure everything from clothing to accessories. The expression draws on the more general sense of "buttoning up" something, meaning to close it securely or complete it, extending that idea to one's mouth as a deliberate act of silence. It emphasizes a conscious effort to hold back words, often to maintain discretion or avoid saying something regretted, becoming a common idiom for self-control in conversation.
Examples
- I wanted to argue back, but I knew it was better to button my lip and let him finish.
- She almost told them the surprise, but then she remembered her promise and quickly buttoned her lip.