tener los labios sellados: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  SpainLatin Americaneutral
  • Literally, to have one's lips sealed or closed, as if physically sealed shut.

  Examples

  Beta

  • El actor apareció en escena con los labios sellados, sin poder decir una palabra.

    The actor appeared on stage with his lips sealed, unable to say a word.

  • En la escultura, la figura tenía los labios sellados como símbolo de silencio eterno.

    In the sculpture, the figure had its lips sealed as a symbol of eternal silence.

  • Durante la sesión de fotos, el modelo posó con los labios sellados para un efecto dramático.

    During the photo session, the model posed with lips sealed for a dramatic effect.

  • El dibujo mostraba un rostro con los labios sellados, representando la imposibilidad de hablar.

    The drawing showed a face with lips sealed, representing the inability to speak.

• 2.

  SpainLatin Americainformalcolloquial
  • To remain silent or refuse to reveal information; to keep a secret deliberately.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Cuando le preguntaron sobre el secreto, tuvo los labios sellados y no dijo nada.

    When asked about the secret, he kept his lips sealed and said nothing.

  • Los periodistas intentaron que hablara, pero ella tenía los labios sellados por completo.

    The journalists tried to get him to talk, but he kept his lips sealed completely.

  • Si quieres proteger la información, tienes que tener los labios sellados sin importar qué.

    If you want to protect the information, you have to keep your lips sealed no matter what.