button your lip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "button your lip" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to tell someone to be quiet or stop talking, often in a somewhat informal or playful manner. Example: "When the meeting got heated, I had to remind everyone to button their lip and listen to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Absolutely, says Sweet. 'Button your lip,' she advises.

The Guardian

Quite a lot of the time, to keep things orderly and to avoid distraction, you button your lip.

The Guardian - Opinion

'My ship leaves in the morning,' he whispered to her, and the audience went wild saying, 'Sh, sh, sh,' and yelling, 'Loose talk costs lives!' and 'Button your lip!' Lots of horsing around in this place".

The New Yorker

Hereafter, to avoid dumb arguments, take charge, engage your brain, identify the type of dumb argument you're having and button your lip.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Patriots reflect Belichick's colorless "button your lips" philosophy, and though nearly everyone else in the N.F.L. thinks it would be a hoot to play for the freewheeling Ryan, New England's success is such that there are those who are desperate to be in Foxborough.

The New York Times - Sports

Increasingly, we see a well-oiled publicity machine that is redefining tolerance as, "either you agree with me or you need to button your lips".

Huffington Post

She puts forward a sensible plea for secrecy, for sometimes buttoning your lip with relatives, lovers and friends, and not trying to know or to say everything.

The Guardian - Books

On Attempted Mustache, released in 1973, Loudon sings his son a lullaby containing the memorable lines: "Shut your mouth and button your lip/You're a late night faucet that's got a drip".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First, place your mouth over the broken button, so that only your lips touch it.

WikiHow

Relax your lip muscles.

WikiHow

Apply Your Lip Liner.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "button your lip" when you want to playfully or informally suggest that someone should be quiet, especially in situations where discretion is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "button your lip" in professional or formal settings. It is better suited for casual conversations or when addressing close acquaintances. Opt for more formal alternatives like "please refrain from speaking" or "it would be best to remain silent" in professional environments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "button your lip" functions as an imperative, specifically an idiomatic expression used to command or strongly suggest that someone should stop talking or remain silent. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "button your lip" is an idiomatic expression that commands silence, primarily used in informal contexts, as Ludwig AI confirms. Although grammatically correct, its use should be reserved for casual conversations and avoided in formal settings where more professional language is expected. While "button your lip" appears mostly in News & Media, its playful nature offers a distinct alternative to simple requests for silence. Related phrases such as ""hold your tongue"" or ""keep mum"" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold your tongue

Focuses on refraining from speaking, often when tempted to say something inappropriate or unwise.

keep mum

Emphasizes maintaining secrecy or remaining silent about a particular matter.

stay silent

A general instruction to not speak, without necessarily implying a previous urge to speak.

zip your mouth

A more direct and informal way to tell someone to be quiet, similar in tone to "button your lip".

clam up

Suggests a sudden refusal to speak, often due to nervousness or discomfort.

fall silent

Describes the act of becoming quiet, rather than a command to be quiet.

bite your tongue

Focuses on the effort required to avoid saying something, often something critical or hurtful.

say nothing

A simple instruction to avoid making any comment or statement.

pipe down

An informal command to be quiet, often used when someone is being disruptive.

curb your speech

Implies actively controlling and limiting what one says.

FAQs

How can I use "button your lip" in a sentence?

You can use "button your lip" when you want to playfully or informally suggest that someone should be quiet. For example, "The meeting is about to start, please "button your lip" so we can begin."

What can I say instead of "button your lip"?

Alternatives to "button your lip" include "hold your tongue", "keep mum", or "stay silent". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "button your lip" appropriate for formal situations?

No, "button your lip" is generally not appropriate for formal situations. It is best used in casual settings. More formal alternatives, such as "please remain silent" or "refrain from speaking", are better suited for professional or academic environments.

What's the difference between "button your lip" and "zip your mouth"?

Both "button your lip" and "zip your mouth" are informal ways to tell someone to be quiet. "Zip your mouth" may come across as slightly more abrupt or direct, while "button your lip" has a more playful connotation.