Meaning: This idiom means to keep quiet or remain silent, especially when someone is being asked not to share information or to stop talking.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “You need to button your lip about the surprise party—we don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
- “When the secret meeting started, everyone was told to button their lips and listen.”
- “He was tempted to argue, but he decided to button his lip and avoid trouble.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “button your lip” comes from the imagery of fastening one’s mouth shut as if with a button, symbolizing the act of keeping silent. The phrase likely emerged in the early 20th century, during a time when phrases related to clothing, such as “zip it” or “keep it under your hat,” were also popularized to mean keeping something quiet. The idiom reflects the idea of physically closing your mouth to prevent words from escaping, thus keeping secrets or remaining silent when necessary.
