keep/stay shtum
informal phrasal verb

- to not speak

Oxford Dictionary

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ORIGIN

English has been enriched by many foreign languages including Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, German, etc.

Yiddish, the non-territorial High German language of Jewish origin that is written with the Hebrew alphabet, has also made its way into our language. Shtum is such an example. Like its German relative "stumm," it means voiceless, silent.

Other Yiddish words in English include:

- glitch = a minor malfunction

- kosher = appropriate, legitimate, the real thing (stemming originally from kaser, Hebrew for conforming to Jewish dietary laws)

GERMAN SPEAKERS TAKE CARE with the following two, the meaning in German is quite different to English:

- schmooze = to converse informally, make small talk or chat (not kiss and cuddle)

- schmuck = a contemptible or foolish person; a jerk (not jewelry)


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SYNONYMS

buttoned up, clammed up, closemouthed, mute, quiet, silent, speechless, tongue-tied, voiceless

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"Sales trainers will urge you to STAY SHTUM and to first listen to what the customer has to say."