My lips are sealed
Meaning
I promise to keep a secret and will not tell anyone.
Origin
The powerful image behind 'my lips are sealed' draws from the ancient and enduring practice of physically securing documents or containers with a wax or clay seal. Just as a broken seal indicated tampering and a breach of privacy, a person declaring their lips sealed promises absolute confidentiality. This vivid metaphor transforms the mouth into a locked vault, the lips themselves becoming the unbreakable seal, ensuring that no word will escape, no secret will be betrayed, and the trust placed in them remains inviolate.
Examples
- Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the surprise party; my lips are sealed.
- The detective assured the informant, 'My lips are sealed' after receiving the crucial tip.