tight-lipped
|tight/lipped|
B2
/ˌtaɪtˈlɪpt/
secretive
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tight-lipped' originates from the English words 'tight' and 'lip,' where 'tight' meant 'firmly closed' and 'lip' referred to the 'edge of the mouth.'
Historical Evolution
'tight-lipped' evolved from the combination of 'tight' and 'lip' in English, emphasizing the idea of keeping one's mouth firmly closed.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'keeping one's lips tightly closed,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'being secretive or unwilling to speak.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
unwilling to speak or provide information; secretive.
The detective remained tight-lipped about the details of the investigation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45