How Do You Spell SHUT MOUTH?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈʌt mˈa͡ʊθ] (IPA)

The spelling of "shut mouth" is fairly straightforward in English. The first syllable uses the vowel sound /ʌ/ as in "rush" and the voiceless consonant /ʃ/ as in "shush." The second syllable uses the diphthong /aʊ/ as in "out" and the voiceless labiodental fricative /θ/ as in "thick." Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription for "shut mouth" is /ʃʌt maʊθ/, which accurately represents the correct pronunciation of this common expression.

SHUT MOUTH Meaning and Definition

1. "Shut mouth" is a colloquial idiom or phrase that is commonly used to describe the act of keeping one's mouth closed or silent, typically in a figurative or metaphorical sense. It is used to convey the idea of maintaining discretion, not divulging information, or refraining from speaking, often in situations where it is considered appropriate or beneficial to do so.

   The term "shut mouth" implies a deliberate action or conscious decision to keep one's thoughts, opinions, or secrets to oneself. It can refer to refraining from sharing personal details, maintaining confidentiality, or avoiding involvement in gossip or idle talk. This idiom highlights the importance of exercising self-control and discretion when it comes to communication, emphasizing the value of silence as a virtue.

   In certain contexts, "shut mouth" can also be used as an admonition or warning to someone, urging them to cease speaking or avoid expressing certain views or opinions that may be inappropriate, controversial, or potentially harmful. It suggests that it is better to remain quiet than to say something that could cause problems or invite criticism.

   Overall, "shut mouth" represents a metaphorical concept of self-restraint and prudence in verbal expression, highlighting the value of being mindful of what one says and when to remain silent.

Common Misspellings for SHUT MOUTH

• sht mouth
• ahut mouth
• zhut mouth
• xhut mouth
• dhut mouth
• ehut mouth
• whut mouth
• sgut mouth
• sbut mouth
• snut mouth
• sjut mouth
• suut mouth
• syut mouth
• shyt mouth
• shht mouth
• shjt mouth
• sh8t mouth
• sh7t mouth
• shur mouth
• shuf mouth

Etymology of SHUT MOUTH

The phrase "shut mouth" does not have a specific etymology on its own since it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can explore the origins of each component word separately.

The word "shut" can be traced back to the Old English word "scyttan", which means "to close" or "to fasten". It has been used in the English language for centuries with the same meaning, referring to the action of closing or securing something.

The word "mouth" has its roots in the Old English word "mūþ", which refers to the opening through which humans and animals eat, breathe, and speak. It has remained relatively consistent in meaning throughout history and is still used with the same sense today.

Combining these two words creates the phrase "shut mouth", which essentially means "to close the opening of the mouth".

Idioms with the word SHUT MOUTH

• a shut mouth catches no flies This idiom means that keeping quiet and not speaking unnecessarily can prevent one from getting into trouble or attracting negative attention.