keep secret; tight-lipped
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to keep one's mouth shut as tight as a bottle; to strictly keep a secret; to be tight-lipped and cautious in speech
literaryOriginally from Buddhist sutras, describing strict secrecy. Used to praise someone's discretion or describe careful speech. Often used as a predicate or complement.
Tā他
duì对
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
shǒu守
kǒu口
rú如
píng瓶
，
lián连
zuì最
hǎo好
de的
péng朋
yǒu友
yě也
méi没
gào告
sù诉
。
He kept tight-lipped about this matter, not even telling his best friend.
Jǐn尽
guǎn管
jì记
zhě者
men们
zài再
sān三
zhuī追
wèn问
，
nà那
wèi位
fā发
yán言
rén人
yī依
rán然
shǒu守
kǒu口
rú如
píng瓶
。
Despite the reporters' persistent questioning, the spokesperson remained as silent as the grave.
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Zhè这
shì是
yī一
gè个
shāng商
yè业
jī机
mì密
，
qǐng请
nǐ你
wù务
bì必
shǒu守
kǒu口
rú如
píng瓶
。
This is a trade secret; please be sure to keep it under lock and key.