Clam Up

Clam Up

Welcome to English in a minute!

A clam is a type of shellfish

that lives in water.

But what do you think this idiom means?

CLAM UP

Hey,how was your weekend?

It was great!

I went to one a nice bike ride

and met with friends for dinner.

What beautiful weather!

And…how did your date go friday

with my friend Pat?

Well…

Uh oh,why are you clamming up?

C’mon, talk!

I am sure he’s great.

I…just don’t think we’re right for each other…

To “clam up” means to say nothing…

or stop talking.

This idiom compares a clam

closing its shell to a person

shutting his or her mouth.

We use this expression to describe

a person who, for whatever reason, does not want to give a response.

And that’s English in a Minute!