Is shut up a figure of speech?
Put up or shut up is an idiom; controversy rages concerning its origin. An idiom is a commonly used word, group of words, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition.
What does put up and shut up mean?
Definition of put up or shut up —used to tell someone in a somewhat rude way to start doing something or to stop talking about it You’ve complained long enough. It’s time to put up or shut up.
Is it put up or shut up?
If you say someone should put up or shut up, you mean that they should either take action in order to do what they have been talking about, or stop talking about it: You keep saying you’re going to ask her out.
What is the origin of shut the front door?
Undoubtedly the phrase came from my mother. She constantly reminded my sister and me to close whatever door we used to come inside. She particularly hated it when we neglected to close the front door behind us.
What is the meaning of Shut Up in history?
Initial meaning and development. Before the twentieth century, the phrase “shut up” was rarely used as an imperative, and had a different meaning altogether. To say that someone was “shut up” meant that they were locked up, quarantined, or held prisoner.
What does it mean to shut up in a conversation?
Shut up” is a direct command with a meaning very similar to “be quiet”, but which is commonly perceived as a more forceful command to stop making noise or otherwise communicating, such as talking. The phrase is probably a shortened form of “shut up your mouth” or “shut your mouth up”.
Where did the phrase ‘shut up your mouth’ come from?
This meaning was also used in the sense of closing something, such as a business, and it is also from this use that the longer phrase “shut up your mouth” likely originated. One source has indicated this: The use of the phrase “shut up” to signify “hold one’s tongue” or “compel silence” dates from the sixteenth century.
What’s the meaning of the saying ‘Shut Your Cake Hole’?
The saying ‘Shut your cake-hole’ – meaning and origin. What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Shut your cake hole’? Be quiet. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Shut your cake hole’? This slang expression is of UK origin, dating from the middle of the 20th century.