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

As a nation, we are so “clammed up” about death, illness and mental health, says Alison, that it is a stigma that Parys died from an accidental drug overdose.

From BBC

“What kind of helpful information would be in books about a wannabe Chosen One who clams up when it’s time to stop the bad guy?”

From Literature

“But as soon as we turned our microphones on and stuck them in their faces, they totally clammed up.”

From New York Times

“There was a dreadful silence, and they literally clammed up. It was incredibly unnerving for the White House and the Pentagon.”

From Washington Times

Jim Harbaugh will coach not to lose and clam up just enough to let Ohio State’s amazing skill talent pull the upset late.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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