zip your lip
Meaning
Stop talking; keep a secret or stay silent.
Origin
From the image of closing a zipper to keep something shut; by the mid–late 20th century it was applied to “zip” (close) one’s mouth, often as an imperative to be quiet.
Notes
Often an imperative. Can be playful (“shh”) or rude (“shut up”) depending on tone; also used to mean “don’t reveal the secret.”
Examples
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I told him to zip his lip until we knew what was really going on.
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If you keep talking back, zip your lip.
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The surprise party is a secret, so zip your lip and don’t tell anyone.
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If you can’t keep it confidential, can you just zip your lip?
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Zip your lip while I’m speaking, and then ask your questions.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as an imperative: “Zip your lip!” Less often: “He needs to zip his lip.” “Zip” can inflect (zipped/zipping). Sometimes appears as “zip it” with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- zip it
- shut up
- keep quiet
- keep it to yourself
- keep your mouth shut
Antonyms
- speak up
- spill the beans
- let it out