
IdiomBody & Senses
Polish
trzymać buzię na kłódkę
Meaning: To keep silent and not reveal a secret.
Literally: To hold one's mouth on a padlock
Example: “O prezencie trzymaj buzię na kłódkę.” — About the present: 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
French: Motus et bouche cousue Literally: Motus and mouth sewn shutEnglish: mum's the word
Origin: Buzia is a child's word for the mouth, and a mouth on a padlock is locked shut. Trzymać buzię na kłódkę means keeping quiet, especially about a secret; the blunter form is gębę na kłódkę. No particular story lies behind it.
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- prosty jak drut Very easy or straightforward.
- dusza towarzystwa The most entertaining or lively person at a gathering.
- studnia bez dna An endless source of trouble or expense; something that consumes resources without limit…
- pi razy oko A rough, approximate measure with little precision; give or take.
- ptasi móżdżek A stupid or scatterbrained person.
- pojechać do Rygi To vomit.
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