Idiom: A still tongue keeps a wise head.

[Kati Svaby]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #298 "English Slang Idioms (20)", question 4

Ben felt like an idiot after blathering on to his friends about mechanics when he didn't know anything about that subject. His wife cautioned, "If you don't know, people will think you are smarter if you say nothing. A still tongue keeps a wise .........."

(a) tooth
(b) thought
(c) head
(d) mouth

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #298 "English Slang Idioms (20)", answer 4

Ben felt like an idiot after blathering on to his friends about mechanics when he didn't know anything about that subject. His wife cautioned, "If you don't know, people will think you are smarter if you say nothing. A still tongue keeps a wise head."

Correct answer: (c) head
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A still tongue keeps a wise head. Does it mean:Silence is golden ?
Kati svaby
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Torsten]

A still tongue keeps a wise head simply means that wise people don't talk much. Silence is golden is an idiom with a slightly different meaning.

TOEIC listening, photographs: An auto junkyard