a closed mouth catches no flies
This saying emphasizes the wisdom of staying silent to avoid trouble or unwanted attention.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)It is often wiser to stay quiet rather than speak and potentially cause issues.
Example
- Remember, a closed mouth catches no flies; it's better to listen than to speak out of turn.
B2Communication
(informal)Staying silent can help avoid attracting unwanted attention or criticism.
Example
- In a tense meeting, he kept quiet because a closed mouth catches no flies.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "a closed mouth catches no flies":