Bite My Tongue

Welcome to English in a Minute, where we teach you all about idioms in American English.

We have some phrases that sound a little painful, like this one: I am going to bite my tongue.

This does not sound good, like it might hurt. Let's listen again.

A: I couldn't believe that happened!

B: I know. Are you going to say something?

A: No, I am going to bite my tongue.

B: I can't believe you are not going to say something!

In American English, if I say that I'm going to bite my tongue, it means that I won't talk about something. I am going to keep quiet.

This is an informal phrase, not one for business.

I am going to bite my tongue.

And that's English in a Minute.