The phrase "holds your tongue" is an idiom which means to control your speech or refrain from speaking out. There are numerous synonyms to describe this act of self-restraint, including biting your tongue, keeping mum, staying quiet, silencing oneself, withholding comment, curbing your tongue, taking a vow of silence, holding back, and refraining from speaking. Each of these phrases implies a conscious decision to not speak or remain silent, often to avoid offending someone or to maintain a level of decorum. In any given situation, there are many ways to hold your tongue, but doing so often requires tact, judgment, and self-control.