HOLDS TONGUE Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "holds tongue" is an idiomatic expression meaning to refrain from speaking or expressing one's thoughts or opinions. It is often used when someone intentionally keeps quiet or remains silent, especially in situations where they have knowledge or strong feelings about a particular matter.
When someone "holds tongue," they exercise self-control over their words and keep their thoughts to themselves. This may occur in various contexts, such as a person choosing not to engage in an argument or conflict to maintain peace, avoiding saying something hurtful or offensive, or keeping a secret or confidential information.
The phrase can also imply a sense of restraint or caution in voicing one's opinion, particularly if there is a risk of negative consequences or backlash. By "holding their tongue," individuals may be avoiding unnecessary conflicts, preventing misunderstandings, or respecting the feelings and perspectives of others.
In some instances, "holds tongue" can indicate a temporary silence in order to gather more information or assess a situation before making a decision or commenting. It signifies a deliberate choice to withhold one's thoughts or judgments until the right moment.
Ultimately, "holds tongue" means to consciously control one's speech, often for the sake of maintaining harmony, preserving relationships, or showing wisdom and discretion in communication.
Common Misspellings for HOLDS TONGUE
- golds tongue
- bolds tongue
- nolds tongue
- jolds tongue
- uolds tongue
- yolds tongue
- hilds tongue
- hklds tongue
- hllds tongue
- hplds tongue
- h0lds tongue
- h9lds tongue
- hokds tongue
- hopds tongue
- hoods tongue
- holss tongue
- holxs tongue
- holcs tongue
- holfs tongue
- holrs tongue
Etymology of HOLDS TONGUE
The phrase "holds tongue" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate words:
1. "Hold": The word "hold" comes from the Old English word "healdan", which means "to keep, restrain, or grasp". It has been derived from the Proto-Germanic word "haldan" and is related to the Old Norse word "halda" and the Middle Dutch word "houden".
2. "Tongue": The word "tongue" has an older English form of "tunge". It comes from the Old English word "tunge" or "tungea", which has been derived from the Proto-Germanic word "tungon". It is cognate with other Germanic languages such as Old Frisian "tunge", Old Saxon "tunga", Old Norse "tunga", and Gothic "tuggo".
