not say/breathe a word
idiom
: to not talk (about something)
Don't say/breathe a word about this to anyone.
Examples of not say/breathe a word in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These Post-Divorce Romance Books Prove There's No Expiration Date on Love (Exclusive)
Do not say a word.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Amorim’s reaction was striking to those on the receiving end who have experienced angry managers before, but even more pronounced on this occasion because usually the Portuguese does not say a word in the immediate aftermath of matches.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Most interesting, Justice Neil Gorsuch did not say a word through the entire hearing, which lasted nearly two and a half hours.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 6 Dec. 2024
Interestingly, the plan does not breathe a word about transferring title of these lands from federal to state ownership, which was a top priority for lawmakers back when Barack Obama was president.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Jan. 2022
Arum instructed Ali to not say a word, to not spook Wilt.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
Mitina did not say a word during the entire interaction, the video shows.
—Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 30 July 2020
The most disappointing part was not what was said by the two guys, but the fact that everyone in the stands sat around and did not say a word.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, 19 June 2020
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Lizz Schumer, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Amorim’s reaction was striking to those on the receiving end who have experienced angry managers before, but even more pronounced on this occasion because usually the Portuguese does not say a word in the immediate aftermath of matches.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Most interesting, Justice Neil Gorsuch did not say a word through the entire hearing, which lasted nearly two and a half hours.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 6 Dec. 2024
Interestingly, the plan does not breathe a word about transferring title of these lands from federal to state ownership, which was a top priority for lawmakers back when Barack Obama was president.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Jan. 2022
Arum instructed Ali to not say a word, to not spook Wilt.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
Mitina did not say a word during the entire interaction, the video shows.
—Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 30 July 2020
The most disappointing part was not what was said by the two guys, but the fact that everyone in the stands sat around and did not say a word.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, 19 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Not say/breathe a word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20say%2Fbreathe%20a%20word. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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