UsingEnglish.com

Loose lips sink ships meaning

What does the saying 'Loose lips sink ships' mean?

Idiom: Loose lips sink ships

Meaning:

To have loose lips means to have a big mouth, susceptible to talking about everything and everyone. Sinking ships refers to anything from small acquaintances to long and hearty relationships (with friends or a significant other).

So when one says 'loose lips sink ships', one is basically saying if you can't shut up you are going to end hurting people, usually psychologically or emotionally.

'Loose lips sink ships' comes from World War I and/or WWII, when sailors on leave from their ships might talk about what ship they sailed on or where it had come from, or where it was going. If they talked too much (had 'loose lips') they might accidentally provide the enemy with anecdotal information that might later cause their ship to be tracked, and bombed and sunk, hence 'Loose lips sink ships.' Later, it came to mean any excessive talk might sabotage a project.

Country: International English | Subject Area: Body and bodily functions | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
All idioms have been editorially reviewed, and submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
« Previous: Loose end
Next: Loosen your grip »

Similar Idioms

Idiom eBooks from UsingEnglish.com

Download our curated lists of idioms in PDF format - perfect to use offline for reference or for use in class!

If you have a question about idioms, ask us about it in our Idioms Discussion Forum.

If you know of an idiom that you would like to be listed here, please use our online form to suggest an idiom.

See also:


Trustpilot