IdiomBody & Senses
French
FrenchMotus et bouche cousue
Meaning: Not a word to anyone.
Literally: Motus and mouth sewn shut
Example: “On prépare une fête surprise pour maman : motus et bouche cousue !” — We're planning a surprise party for Mom: mum's the word!
English equivalent: Mum's the word
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: Acqua in bocca Literally: Water in the mouth
Romanian: A tăcea ca porcul în păpușoi Literally: To stay silent like a pig in the cornfield
Polish: trzymać buzię na kłódkę Literally: To hold one's mouth on a padlock
English: mum's the word
Origin: Motus is mock-Latin, invented by adding a Latin ending to the French mot to make silence sound official. The sewn mouth then makes the same point without the joke.
More French idioms
- Merde ! Good luck — said to a performer before going on stage.
- Voilà pourquoi votre fille est muette Said of a grand explanation that explains nothing.
- Passez, muscade ! Hey presto — said when something vanishes suspiciously conveniently.
- Se croire le premier moutardier du pape To have a wildly inflated sense of one's own importance.
- Mystère et boule de gomme Nobody has the faintest idea.
- Promettre monts et merveilles To promise far more than could ever be delivered.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cents scies scient six cents cyprès. An 's' / 'si' minefield.
- Dans ta tente ta tante t'attend. A gentle 'ta / ten / tan / t'' warm-up that sounds faster than it reads.
- Seize chaises sèches sur seize arches sèches. A relentless collision of 'sei', 'sèch', and 's' — the tongue can't find traction.
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