| 释义 |
ˈtight-ˌlipped, a.
[f. tight a. + lipped ppl. a.]
Having the lips firmly closed, esp. as a sign of determined suppression of emotion; also transf. and fig. Also, determinedly reticent or uncommunicative.
1876M. E. Braddon J. Haggard's Dau. II. 47 How would that tight-waisted, tight-lipped damsel get on with a lovely young wife. 1918H. G. Wells Joan & Peter iii. 62 Her pride was white and tight-lipped. 1936P. Fleming News from Tartary v. ii. 194 This, I know, is my cue for tight-lipped heroics. 1952[see instalment2 3]. 1958Observer 15 June 15/2 Joan Mitchell's rather beautiful painting ‘Hudson River Day Line’ (which has a sensitive, tight-lipped, almost Slade School quality). 1970J. Sangster Touchfeather, Too ii. 32 The Russians, notoriously tight-lipped normally, had been approached through tortuous channels. 1979A. Price Tomorrow's Ghost iii. 37 She smiled her careful tight⁓lipped smile. 1981D. Hopkinson Edward Penrose Arnold iv. 40 Here is that melancholy resignation which Matthew Arnold so often..conveys... But his finest poetry..is stoically tight-lipped. 1983Times 2 Apr. 10/2 All parties are keeping tight-lipped. A spokesman for DTR issued a firm ‘no comment’. |