die Zunge hüten

to be careful with one's words to avoid offense or revealing secrets

Türkçe: ağzından çıkanı kulağı duymak

Noun

Zunge f.

Verb

hüten

Topic

Körper und Gesundheit

In a sentence

Die Sekretärin hütet ihre Zunge, obwohl sie alles weiß.

How it is used

Means to be careful with one's words to avoid offense or revealing secrets. Neutral, slightly formal. Use in discreet or diplomatic situations, e.g. 'In der Verhandlung musste er seine Zunge hüten.' Implies self-control, not just silence.

Other verbs that go with Zunge

This is the choice the collocation turns on.

• die Zunge herausstrecken / zeigento stick out his tongue
• sich auf die Zunge beißento bite its tongue
• die Zunge lösento make someone talk freely, often via alcohol or relaxed atmosphere
• sich die Zunge verbrennento burn one's tongue
• auf der Zunge liegento be on the tip of his tongue

All collocations with Zunge

Other collocations built on hüten

• das Bett hütento be bedridden due to illness
• sich vor dem Hund hütento beware of the dog