Have you ever heard someone talk about lips in a strange way? In English, we use many phrases or “idioms” that include the word “lips” to mean different things. These idioms make language fun and colorful. Here, we’ll explore some of these expressions, explain what they mean, and show you how they’re used!
Lips Idioms
Here are 20 lips idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Button your lip
Meaning: Be quiet or stop talking.
Example: When the teacher walked in, I buttoned my lip.
2. Read my lips
Meaning: Listen and understand carefully.
Example: Read my lips: no more video games tonight.
3. Lip service
Meaning: To say something but not actually do it.
Example: He pays lip service to the rules, but never follows them.
4. Tight-lipped
Meaning: Not giving away any information.
Example: She was tight-lipped about her plans.
5. Loose lips sink ships
Meaning: Careless talk can cause harm.
Example: He learned that loose lips sink ships after spoiling the surprise.
6. On everyone’s lips
Meaning: Being talked about by everyone.
Example: The new song is on everyone’s lips.
7. From the lips of babes
Meaning: Children often speak the truth.
Example: Well, from the lips of babes—she told the truth!
8. My lips are sealed
Meaning: Promise to keep a secret.
Example: Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.
9. Smack your lips
Meaning: To show that something is enjoyable.
Example: He smacked his lips after tasting the pie.
10. Lick one’s lips
Meaning: Anticipate something eagerly.
Example: She licked her lips at the thought of dessert.
11. Slip of the lip
Meaning: A mistake in one’s speech.
Example: That comment was a slip of the lip, sorry.
12. Give lip
Meaning: Talk back in a rude way.
Example: He got in trouble for giving lip to the teacher.
13. Zip your lip
Meaning: Stop talking.
Example: Zip your lip, the movie is starting!
14. Pass one’s lips
Meaning: Say something.
Example: Lies never pass his lips.
15. Bite one’s lip
Meaning: Try not to react.
Example: I bit my lip and didn’t laugh.
16. Have a stiff upper lip
Meaning: Remain resolute and unemotional.
Example: He kept a stiff upper lip during the speech.
17. Chew the fat
Meaning: Chat leisurely.
Example: Let’s chew the fat over coffee sometime.
18. Flap one’s lips
Meaning: Talk a lot about nothing important.
Example: Stop flapping your lips and start working.
19. Have the gift of the gab
Meaning: Be able to speak well.
Example: She really has the gift of the gab.
20. By word of mouth
Meaning: Spread by spoken communication.
Example: The news spread by word of mouth quickly.
