Mar 28, 2005 11:31
19 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

Well, hush my mouth.

English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings horses
There's not much context. A guy is dancing and it utters those words. Just before he had said "Swing it by me" and "knock me out". Can anyone explain what it means?

Thanks

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Mar 29, 2005:
He's just dancing and singing and he's addressing a lot of people. There is no argument. It's a very happy atmosphere.
RHELLER Mar 28, 2005:
Dear Lapamela: this type of expression is VERY dependent upon context; who is he talking to? is he having an argument with a man? is he trying to seduce a woman?

Responses

+6
1 min
Selected

polite version of "well, I'll be damned"

It's a mild expression of surprise or feigned surprise
Peer comment(s):

agree Mikhail Kropotov : he's in some kind of awe
8 mins
thanks
agree Robert Donahue (X)
1 hr
thanks
agree Alexander Demyanov
2 hrs
thanks
agree Kevin Kelly : That's right. Linda's version below is also quite possible. Another from this series is: "Well, feed me corn and watch me grow!"
2 hrs
love it!
agree Dina Abdo
3 hrs
thanks
agree RHELLER : I shouldn't be saying the things I am saying
4 hrs
could might be... thanks
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I think this is the solution that works best in my context, but thanks everyone."
+5
22 mins

Excuse me. (Ironically)

I have also heard it used to mean "Excuse me" in an ironic sense. For instance, a person has been corrected for something rather trival or doesn't quite agree with the correction, but conceeds the error with a smirk and "well, hush my mouth". In your examble, he seems to be uttering snide comments under his breath.

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Note added at 23 hrs 21 mins (2005-03-29 10:53:22 GMT)
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\"Swing it by me\" and \"knock me out\". Could this not be slighlty provocative remarks? I remember a parallel expression \"Well, slap my wrists\" which would be the answer to \"Put that cookie down - it\'s for dessert! - Well slap my wrists! What bad boy am I.\" Thanks how I see it.
Peer comment(s):

agree Linda Flebus
3 mins
agree Robert Donahue (X)
1 hr
agree Ian Burley (X)
2 hrs
agree Kevin Kelly : Very possible.
2 hrs
agree Tony M : This is the meaning I am most familiar with
5 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 day 3 hrs

after additional context

with the additional context, I would say it means,
"sorry, I didn't know what I was saying"
"Really? I was wrong to say that"

knock me out
amaze you, blow your mind
http://home.t-online.de/home/toni.goeller/idiom_wm/id360.htm...

good website for idioms
http://home.t-online.de/home/toni.goeller/idiom_wm/index.ht m
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