Question map
Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings to each. Choose the response which is the most appropriate expression. Bite your tongue
Explanation
The idiom 'bite your tongue' is a metaphorical expression meaning to force oneself to remain silent and refrain from speaking, especially when one wants to say something that might be inappropriate, hurtful, or provocative. It is often used as a synonym for 'hold your tongue'. The phrase suggests a deliberate effort to suppress speech to avoid causing tension, offending others, or escalating a situation. While it can literally refer to an accidental injury while eating, its idiomatic usage—dating back to at least the 16th century in works like Shakespeare's Henry VI—describes the act of stopping oneself from expressing a thought that might be better left unsaid. Therefore, the most appropriate meaning is to stop yourself from saying something because it would be better not to.