a closed mouth catches no flies
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
It's best not to talk too much.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
It's better to not say anything than to say something suspicious or troublesome.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a closed mouth catches no flies” mean?
It's best not to talk too much.
Is “a closed mouth catches no flies” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.