tenere a freno la lingua
Meaning: to refrain from speaking; to keep silent.
Language: Italian
Literally: to hold back the tongue
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The image is physical: the tongue is an unruly member that must be restrained, or it will run away and say what it shouldn't.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- a gambe levate — With great speed or haste, moving rapidly or impetuously.
- con il piede sbagliato — To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
- togliere il fiato — To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
- a bocca asciutta — Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.
- guardarsi alle spalle — To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
- far battere il cuore — To cause someone to worry or to stir romantic feelings in someone.
More Italian idioms
- in pompa magna — with ceremony, grandeur, and great fanfare.
- alle calende greche — never; at an impossible or non-existent time.
- farsene un baffo — to not care at all; to be indifferent to something.
- sulle spine — In a state of anxious suspense or nervous tension, unable to relax.
- pendaglio da forca — A person who deserves to be hanged; a worthless scoundrel.
- mi sa — I suppose, I guess, or I have the impression.
From our untranslatable words
- Meriggiare — To take a quiet midday rest in a cool, shaded spot, escaping the fierce afternoon sun.
- Magari — One word doing the work of 'if only', 'I wish', 'perhaps' and 'you bet' — the tone decide…
- Sprezzatura — The art of making something difficult look wholly effortless, hiding every trace of the w…