Meaning of guard one's tongue | Babel Free

Definitions

To be careful in what one says; to avoid divulging information or speaking in a way considered to be inappropriate or offensive.

Examples

“1696, Aphra Behn, “Love-Letters to a Gentleman,” Letter 3, in All the Histories and Novels Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs. Behn, London: Samuel Briscoe, p. 47, […] though I scorn to guard my Tongue, as hoping ’twill never offend willingly; yet I can, with much adoe, hold it, when I have a great mind to say a thousand things I know will be taken in an ill sence.”

“[…] of course it is a little out of character to call upon me to guard my tongue, when it is the privilege of a freeman to speak his mind […]”

“Oh, Howard, Howard, the things you have uttered when you were forgetting to guard your tongue, have betrayed you.”

“But in spite of the affection she felt for her charming mother-in-law, Arnon had extended no confidences. Her father had warned her to guard her tongue in the presence of these people.”

CEFR level