close your mouth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close your mouth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being asked to stop talking or to be quiet. Example: "During the lecture, I had to remind my friend to close his mouth so he could focus on the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I said: 'Please close your mouth.

The New York Times - Sports

It lets you open and close your mouth.

Harvard University

You cannot fold your arms and just close your mouth".

The Guardian

His advice was to put your feet up and close your mouth.

The Guardian - Travel

"The only words I can say in Russian are 'open your mouth, close your mouth, don't move,' " Touati says.

The New York Times

The faster and more recklessly you close your mouth, the less force the muscles are willing to apply.

The New York Times - Health

"To make an m, you have to close your mouth and the air has to come out your nose.

The New York Times - Health

Hold your nose, close your mouth, and try to breathe.

BBC

Then you close your mouth.

Vice

Make sure to close your mouth at some point.

Huffington Post

Once you have the rhythm, keep it going as you close your mouth.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close your mouth" when giving direct instructions, especially in situations where someone is speaking inappropriately or needs to be quiet for a specific reason. Consider the context and tone to ensure it's appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "close your mouth" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more polite or indirect request for silence is preferable. Opt for phrases like "please refrain from speaking at this time" or "could you please hold your comments until later?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close your mouth" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing someone to stop talking or keep silent. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close your mouth" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative expression. As Ludwig AI highlights, it serves to directly instruct someone to be silent. While prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news, media and wiki sources, its informal register suggests caution in formal settings. Consider alternative phrases, such as “please be quiet”, to maintain politeness in professional environments. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, mindful of its potential to come across as blunt or disrespectful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

zip it

An informal and direct way to tell someone to be quiet.

be quiet

A general instruction to cease making noise.

hush

A simple and direct command for silence.

hold your tongue

Suggests refraining from speaking, often to avoid saying something inappropriate.

keep mum

Instructs someone to keep a secret or remain silent about something.

button your lip

An informal way to tell someone to be quiet.

clam up

Suggests becoming silent, often due to nervousness or reluctance.

fall silent

Describes the action of becoming quiet.

cease talking

A more formal instruction to stop speaking.

say nothing

Implies choosing not to speak.

FAQs

How can I use "close your mouth" in a sentence?

"Close your mouth" is typically used as a direct command or instruction. For example: "I said: 'Please "close your mouth". We don't need that idea.'"

What's a more polite way to say "close your mouth"?

Instead of saying "close your mouth", which can sound rude, you could say "please be quiet", "please hold your comments", or "could you please refrain from speaking right now?" depending on the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "close your mouth"?

It's appropriate to use "close your mouth" in informal settings or when speaking to someone you have authority over, such as a child. However, it's generally best to avoid using this phrase in formal or professional situations.

Are there any idioms similar to "close your mouth"?

Yes, some idioms similar to "close your mouth" include "hold your tongue", "button your lip", and "zip it". These all convey the idea of remaining silent.