clam up

verb

1. informal.
   intr, adverb to keep or become silent or withhold information

Idioms and Phrases

Refuse to talk or respond, as in Whenever she asks her teenager about his activities, he clams up . This term alludes to the tightly closed valves of a live clam. [ Slang ; early 1900s]

Example Sentences

You see this a lot when individuals who are accused of something decide to clam up, often under the advice of their attorney.

From The Daily Beast

Back in California, Zach finds that people from whom he might learn about the bombing either die, disappear, or clam up.

From The Daily Beast

All of which makes me wonder why Lindsey Graham and his cohort were so afraid the guy would clam up.

From The Daily Beast

Then I thought the non-celebrities would clam up because the cameras would make them nervous.

From The Daily Beast

So de Missus, she hab us young uns clam up dar and git 'em when dey first took roost.

From Project Gutenberg

A little general chitchat once in a while, then she'd clam up to do a little mental orbit figuring.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allay
• appease
• assuage
• hush
• mollify
• muffle
• muzzle
• pacify
• please
• relax
• satisfy
• soften
• soothe
• squelch
• subdue