bite one's lip

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

bite one's lip

1. (idiomatic) To forcibly prevent oneself from speaking, especially in order to avoid saying something inappropriate or likely to cause a dispute.
   • 1822, [Walter Scott], chapter XIII, in Peveril of the Peak. [...] In Four Volumes, volume IV, Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., OCLC 2392685, page 304:

     Buckingham bit his lip, for he saw the introduction of Lady Derby was likely to confuse and embroil every preparation which he had arranged for his defence; […]

   • 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald, "May Day" in Tales of the Jazz Age:

     He broke off and bit his lip, feeling that he had better subdue the rising anger in his voice.

• bite one's tongue