Which idioms are NOT antonyms: Cat cried, Hold your tongue? - briefly
The idioms "cat cried" and "hold your tongue" are not antonyms. While "hold your tongue" means to remain silent, "cat cried" is not a widely recognized idiom in English and does not have a standard meaning related to speech or silence.
Which idioms are NOT antonyms: Cat cried, Hold your tongue? - in detail
The idioms "cat cried" and "hold your tongue" might initially seem like opposites, but upon closer examination, they are not actually antonyms. To understand why, let's delve into the meanings and usages of these expressions.
Firstly, consider the idiom "hold your tongue." This phrase is used to advise someone to remain silent or to stop talking, often because what they are saying might be inappropriate, hurtful, or unnecessary. The emphasis here is on restraint and avoiding potential harm with one's words. For example, if a person is about to reveal a secret that could cause trouble, you might say, "Hold your tongue."
On the other hand, "cat cried" is not a standard idiom in English. It is possible that there has been a misinterpretation or confusion with another expression involving cats and sounds. A more common and relevant idiom would be "let the cat out of the bag," which means to reveal a secret unintentionally. This idiom emphasizes the act of disclosure, often leading to unexpected consequences.
The crucial difference between these two idioms lies in their actions and intentions. While "hold your tongue" focuses on preventing the revelation of information that could be harmful or unwanted, "let the cat out of the bag" centers around the unintentional release of a secret. They are not antonyms because they do not directly oppose each other; rather, they address different aspects of communication and secrecy.
In summary, although both idioms deal with the theme of revealing information, "hold your tongue" is about maintaining silence to prevent potential harm, while "let the cat out of the bag" involves the unintentional disclosure of a secret. Therefore, these two expressions are not antonyms but rather complementary in their focus on different stages and intentions within the process of communication.