Some people have loud voices. Others speak softly. In the USA, we use special phrases to talk about how people speak. These are called idioms. Idioms are words that mean something different than their regular meaning. They help make talking more fun and colorful.
In this article, we will look at idioms about voice. These phrases describe different ways people use their voice. Some idioms talk about shouting. Others show how someone might stay quiet. These idioms are often used in everyday life across America. Let’s explore what they mean and how people use them.
Idioms About Voice
1. Raise your voice
Meaning: To speak louder, often in anger
Example Sentence:
• Mom told me not to raise my voice at the dinner table.
• He raised his voice when his team lost the game.
Other ways to say: Yell, shout
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom compares speaking loudly to lifting something higher.
Usage: Used when someone is angry or wants to be heard over noise.
2. At the top of your lungs
Meaning: Very loudly
Example Sentence:
• The kids were singing at the top of their lungs in the car.
• She screamed at the top of her lungs during the rollercoaster ride.
Other ways to say: As loud as possible, shout loudly
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to using all the air in your lungs to yell.
Usage: Often used when someone is yelling loudly, like at sports games or concerts.
3. Bite your tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from saying something
Example Sentence:
• I had to bite my tongue so I wouldn’t say something rude.
• He bit his tongue during the meeting when he heard something silly.
Other ways to say: Hold back words, stay quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom creates a picture of holding your tongue so you don’t talk.
Usage: Common when someone wants to avoid trouble or being mean.
4. A frog in your throat
Meaning: Having trouble speaking because your throat feels dry or blocked
Example Sentence:
• I had a frog in my throat before I gave my speech.
• She kept clearing her throat because of the frog in her throat.
Other ways to say: Dry throat, raspy voice
Fun Fact/Origin: This silly phrase imagines something stuck in your throat like a frog.
Usage: Used when someone’s voice sounds off, especially before talking.
5. Voice of reason
Meaning: Someone who gives calm, smart advice
Example Sentence:
• My dad is the voice of reason in our family.
• She was the voice of reason when the kids were fighting.
Other ways to say: Wise person, calm advice
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows the voice as a symbol of logic and calm thinking.
Usage: Used when someone helps others make better choices.
6. Have a say
Meaning: To share your opinion
Example Sentence:
• Everyone should have a say in where we eat.
• I didn’t get to have a say in the team’s decision.
Other ways to say: Share thoughts, give your opinion
Fun Fact/Origin: “Say” refers to being able to speak or vote on something.
Usage: Common in group decisions or voting situations.
7. Speak your mind
Meaning: To say exactly what you feel or think
Example Sentence:
• She always speaks her mind, even if people disagree.
• I spoke my mind about the school lunch menu.
Other ways to say: Be honest, say your opinion
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of talking about what’s on your mind.
Usage: Used when someone is bold or honest about their thoughts.
8. A loudmouth
Meaning: Someone who talks too much or too loudly
Example Sentence:
• That kid is such a loudmouth during class.
• Don’t be a loudmouth at the movies—it’s rude.
Other ways to say: Big talker, noisy person
Fun Fact/Origin: Mixes “loud” and “mouth” to describe someone noisy.
Usage: Often used in a negative way for people who talk too much.
9. Heard it through the grapevine
Meaning: To hear a rumor or news from others, not directly
Example Sentence:
• I heard it through the grapevine that we’re getting a new teacher.
• He heard through the grapevine that there’s a surprise test.
Other ways to say: Hear gossip, find out unofficially
Fun Fact/Origin: In the USA, grapevines were like old telegraph lines where people shared news.
Usage: Common in casual conversation about rumors.
10. Speak volumes
Meaning: To show a lot without using words
Example Sentence:
• Her face spoke volumes when she saw the test score.
• The empty room spoke volumes about the canceled party.
Other ways to say: Show clearly, express without talking
Fun Fact/Origin: “Volumes” used to mean big books, so speaking volumes means saying a lot.
Usage: Used to describe strong reactions or silence.
11. Find your voice
Meaning: To learn how to express yourself
Example Sentence:
• She found her voice through writing poems.
• He finally found his voice and stood up to the bully.
Other ways to say: Speak up, express yourself
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in American schools to talk about students becoming confident.
Usage: Often used when someone starts being brave or honest.
12. Give someone a voice
Meaning: To let someone be heard or included
Example Sentence:
• The teacher gave shy students a voice in the group.
• That show gives young people a voice.
Other ways to say: Let someone speak, include opinions
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in American education and community events.
Usage: Used when someone includes others who are often quiet.
13. A little bird told me
Meaning: To say you heard something but won’t say who told you
Example Sentence:
• A little bird told me you’re having a party.
• I know your secret—a little bird told me.
Other ways to say: I heard, someone said
Fun Fact/Origin: This playful phrase hides who gave the news.
Usage: Used in a fun way when sharing secret info.
14. Sound like a broken record
Meaning: To repeat the same thing again and again
Example Sentence:
• You sound like a broken record talking about that game.
• He kept reminding me to clean my room—like a broken record.
Other ways to say: Repeat, say over and over
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old records that skipped and repeated.
Usage: Used when someone repeats something too much.
15. Speak of the devil
Meaning: Said when someone you were talking about appears
Example Sentence:
• Speak of the devil—there’s Jake!
• We were just talking about you. Speak of the devil!
Other ways to say: There he is, what a surprise
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from older sayings where talking about someone made them show up.
Usage: Used jokingly in the USA when someone walks in while being mentioned.
16. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To be upset over something that can’t be fixed
Example Sentence:
• Don’t cry over spilled milk. We can fix it.
• She was sad about the broken toy, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk.
Other ways to say: Move on, don’t worry about it
Fun Fact/Origin: Spilled milk can’t be put back—just clean it and go on.
Usage: Often used by parents or teachers in everyday talk.
17. Voice your opinion
Meaning: To say what you think
Example Sentence:
• She voiced her opinion about the school rules.
• He didn’t agree, so he voiced his opinion.
Other ways to say: Speak up, share your thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in classrooms and group meetings in the USA.
Usage: Used in discussions or debates.
18. Choke on your words
Meaning: To have trouble speaking, usually because of fear or guilt
Example Sentence:
• He choked on his words when he had to apologize.
• She looked nervous and choked on her words.
Other ways to say: Hesitate, stumble when talking
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like feeling stuck and unable to talk.
Usage: Used when someone is embarrassed or scared.
19. Talk someone’s ear off
Meaning: To talk too much
Example Sentence:
• My cousin talks my ear off every time we meet.
• He talked the coach’s ear off about the game.
Other ways to say: Talk nonstop, chat too long
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase imagines someone talking so much your ear falls off.
Usage: Common in casual talk when someone won’t stop chatting.
20. A silver tongue
Meaning: Someone who speaks in a smooth or charming way
Example Sentence:
• He’s got a silver tongue—he can sell anything.
• With her silver tongue, she got out of trouble again.
Other ways to say: Smooth talker, persuasive speaker
Fun Fact/Origin: Silver is shiny and smooth, like a good speaker’s words.
Usage: Often said about salespeople or kids trying to get their way.
21. Clear your throat
Meaning: To cough a little to prepare to speak
Example Sentence:
• The teacher cleared her throat before starting the lesson.
• He cleared his throat before making the announcement.
Other ways to say: Get ready to talk, make your voice clear
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American classrooms and meetings.
Usage: Used before public speaking or attention-getting moments.
22. Let your voice be heard
Meaning: Speak out for what you believe
Example Sentence:
• The students let their voices be heard about school lunches.
• It’s time to let your voice be heard and vote.
Other ways to say: Speak up, make your opinion count
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in the USA during protests or community events.
Usage: Common in political or school activities.
23. In a whisper
Meaning: Very quietly
Example Sentence:
• She told the secret in a whisper.
• The kids talked in a whisper so the teacher wouldn’t hear.
Other ways to say: Soft voice, quiet talk
Fun Fact/Origin: Whispering is used to share private or quiet info.
Usage: Often used in classrooms, libraries, or during secrets.
24. Pipe down
Meaning: Be quiet
Example Sentence:
• Pipe down, kids! The movie is starting.
• The teacher asked the class to pipe down after lunch.
Other ways to say: Be quiet, calm down
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old music terms using “pipes” as sound makers.
Usage: Often used by parents or teachers.
25. Loud and clear
Meaning: Easy to hear and understand
Example Sentence:
• The instructions were loud and clear.
• I heard you loud and clear—no need to repeat.
Other ways to say: Understood, got it
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in walkie-talkies and radios in the military and events.
Usage: Used when confirming you understand someone.
Quiz: Idioms About Voice
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Only one is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “bite your tongue” mean?
A) To yell loudly
B) To stop yourself from speaking
C) To eat quickly
2. If someone “talks your ear off,” what are they doing?
A) Giving you a gift
B) Talking too much
C) Singing loudly
3. What does it mean if you “have a frog in your throat”?
A) You are singing nicely
B) You are feeling nervous
C) Your throat feels dry or blocked
4. What does “voice your opinion” mean?
A) To whisper a secret
B) To say what you think
C) To copy what others say
5. If someone “has a silver tongue,” what are they good at?
A) Making crafts
B) Speaking in a charming way
C) Running fast
6. What does “pipe down” mean?
A) Speak louder
B) Go outside
C) Be quiet
7. If you “speak your mind,” what are you doing?
A) Keeping your thoughts to yourself
B) Saying how you really feel
C) Telling a joke
8. What does “at the top of your lungs” mean?
A) Very quietly
B) Very loudly
C) In a funny way
9. If someone is the “voice of reason,” what are they like?
A) Angry and loud
B) Calm and smart
C) Fast and silly
10. What does “heard it through the grapevine” mean?
A) You heard it on TV
B) You heard it in the park
C) You heard a rumor from someone else
Answer Key
- B) To stop yourself from speaking
- B) Talking too much
- C) Your throat feels dry or blocked
- B) To say what you think
- B) Speaking in a charming way
- C) Be quiet
- B) Saying how you really feel
- B) Very loudly
- B) Calm and smart
- C) You heard a rumor from someone else
Wrapping Up
Idioms about voice help us describe how people talk. In the USA, we use these sayings in school, at home, and in many places. They make speaking more fun and help us explain things better. Whether it’s about being loud or staying quiet, each idiom tells a short story.
Now that you’ve learned 25 idioms, try using them when you talk or write. It will make your words more interesting. And remember, it’s not just about using your voice—but knowing how to use it.
