English Idiom – Put a sock in it.
Be quiet. This expression is used to tell someone to stop making so much noise. Put a sock in it is an impolite expression and should be used with caution. This idiom is often used in a humorous way.
The idiom pull your socks up can be used to tell someone to do better, or to make a real effort to improve.
Example:
- “Put a sock in it! I’m trying to finish my homework and I can’t hear myself think over your noise!”
In the News
Spotted in the newsRafe Spall: ‘It gets on my nerves when actors say they’re nervous – put a sock in it’independent.co.ukListen:
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be quiet — it’s used to tell someone to stop making so much noise.
No — it’s a blunt, informal expression, often used humorously among friends, but it can come across as rude in more formal situations.
“Put a sock in it” means be quiet, while “pull your socks up” means make more effort or improve your behaviour — two very different meanings despite both mentioning socks!
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