Your guess is as good as mine

[1198] Zip your lip

🎲 Um / Uh / Er
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A command to be quiet or stop talking immediately.
  • Can also mean to keep a secret.

Origin

  • A vivid metaphor comparing the closing of one's mouth to fastening a zipper ('zip').
  • Popularized in the mid-20th century. The visual of sealing the lips shut emphasizes the command for silence or secrecy.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Be quiet!
  • Shut up! (Rude)
  • Keep quiet / Keep it down
  • Silence! (Formal or commanding)
  • Hold your tongue (Refrain from speaking, esp. criticism)
  • Pipe down! (Informal command to be quiet)
  • Put a sock in it! (UK/Aus Rude command to be quiet)
  • Keep it under your hat (Keep a secret)
  • My lips are sealed (Promise to keep a secret)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (Commands for silence):

  • Shut it / Shut your trap / Shut your face (Rude)
  • Pipe down
  • Can it (Informal/Rude)
  • Put a sock in it (UK/Aus Rude)
  • Knock it off (Stop making noise/disturbance)
  • Shush / Shhh

Vulgar/Emphatic (Commands for silence):

  • Shut the fuck up / STFU (Online) (Extremely Rude)

Milder/More Polite (Requests for silence):

  • Quiet, please.
  • Could we keep the noise down?
  • I need some quiet, please.

For Secrecy:

  • Keep this to yourself / between us.
  • Don't breathe a word.
  • Mum's the word (Dated).

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal and often considered rude or abrupt, especially when used as a direct command between adults or to a superior.
  • More acceptable (though still potentially harsh) between close peers, siblings, or from an adult to a misbehaving child.
  • Use with caution; more polite alternatives like Could you please be quiet? are usually better.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The meaning (be quiet/keep secret) is usually clear from context.
  • The main point for learners is understanding its level of directness and potential rudeness.

Examples

  • (Command for silence): Zip your lip, the movie is starting!
  • (Command for silence): The teacher told the noisy students to zip their lips.
  • (Command for secrecy): Don't tell anyone about the surprise party – zip your lip!

Dialogue

Sibling 1: (Loudly) I can't believe Dad bought Mom that ugly necklace for her...

Sibling 2: (Interrupting urgently) Dude! Zip your lip! She's right in the next room!

Sibling 1: Oh! Oops. (Goes quiet)

Social Media Examples

  • (Rarely typed as a direct command, more often in reported speech or ironically)
  • Told my friend to zip his lip before he spoiled the season finale for me! #NoSpoilers #Shhh
  • Wish I could just tell my anxiety to zip its lip sometimes. 🤐 #MentalHealth #AnxietyProblems

Response Patterns

  • Compliance: Becoming quiet, nodding.
  • Annoyance/Resentment: A glare, rolling eyes, muttering under breath. Alright, alright!, Jeez!
  • Inquiry (if the reason isn't clear): Why? What's up?
  • Agreement (for secrets): Okay, my lips are sealed., Got it.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person told to zip their lip usually stops talking or confirms they will keep the secret.
  • The person who issued the command might then explain the reason for silence (I need to concentrate) or emphasize the secrecy (Seriously, don't tell anyone).

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a command intended to stop conversation or enforce silence/secrecy.

Intonation

  • Usually said sharply and authoritatively as a command.
  • Strong stress on Zip.
  • ZIP your lip!
  • Can be said in a hushed, urgent tone when warning someone to be quiet or keep a secret.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood. Might be perceived as slightly old-fashioned by some younger speakers, but the meaning is clear. Usage frequency might be higher among older generations or in specific contexts like parenting.

Regional Variations

  • Common in most English-speaking regions.
Your guess is as good as mine
🎲 Um / Uh / Er