tight-lipped en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From tight + lipped.
Meanings
-
(qualifier:literal) Having the lips pressed tightly together, hence, not speaking.
He would have sprung upon Captain Blood, who stood aloof, alert, tight-lipped, and watchful.
1922, Rafael Sabatini, Captain Blood: His Odyssy, chapter XXVGaining the dak, they were joined on the veranda by four tight-lipped men.
1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter XV, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, published 1940, page 162:
-
(idiomatic) Unwilling to divulge information.
The open access operator has remained tight-lipped over what may have caused the driver to suddenly apply the brake, but stressed that safety was its priority.
2022 May 4, “Network News: RAIB looking into emergency brake application of train at Peterborough”, in RAIL, number 956, page 12:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more tight-lipped | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| tightlipped | alternative | lexicographic | |
| most tight-lipped | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |
Antonyms
loose-lipped (antonym(s) of “unwilling to divulge information”) · indiscreet (antonym(s) of “unwilling to divulge information”)
Deriveds
Relateds
Synonyms
closemouthed (unwilling to divulge information) · secretive (unwilling to divulge information) · discreet (unwilling to divulge information)
Translations (10)
hu szűkszavú (unwilling to divulge information) · bg мълчалив (unwilling to divulge information) · it nulladicente (unwilling to divulge information) · ru скрытный (unwilling to divulge information) · hu hallgatag (unwilling to divulge information) · pl z wodą w ustach (unwilling to divulge information) · hu szófukar (unwilling to divulge information) · it reticente (unwilling to divulge information) · de schmallippig (unwilling to divulge information) · ru неразговорчивый (unwilling to divulge information)