PhrasesHub

Put a sock in it

    Definitions

      • stop talking/being loud
        To tell someone to be quiet or speak more softly, typically in a stern or annoyed manner

      • end a conversation/argument
        To abruptly stop or silence a discussion or debate, often in a forceful or dismissive manner

      • lower the volume
        To decrease the loudness or intensity of something, such as music or a machine, by placing a sock or other object over it

    Examples of Put a sock in it

    • "John, your constant complaining is getting on my nerves. Please put a sock in it before I lose my temper."

      The idiom "put a sock in it" is used to tell someone to stop talking or making noise. The literal meaning of the phrase is to insert a sock into someone's mouth to stop them from speaking, but the idiom is used figuratively to mean to stop someone from talking or making noise in a more polite way. In this example, the speaker is asking John to stop complaining because it is irritating them.

    • "The noise from the construction site next door is keeping me awake at night. I've asked them to stop, but they won't listen. I'm going to have to put a sock in it and sleep with earplugs."

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom "put a sock in it" to mean they will have to find a way to stop the noise themselves because the construction workers won't listen to their requests. They plan to use earplugs to block out the noise instead of asking the workers to stop again.

    • "The kids are fighting in the backseat and it's making me crazy. Can you put a sock in it, please?"

      In this example, the speaker is asking someone else to help stop the children from arguing in the car. The idiom "put a sock in it" is used to mean to stop someone from making noise or causing a disturbance.

    • "I don't want to hear any more complaints about the weather. Please put a sock in it."

      In this example, the speaker is tired of hearing complaints about the weather and is asking the other person to stop complaining. The idiom "put a sock in it" is used to mean to stop someone from talking or making noise.

    • "The barking dog next door is keeping me up at night. I've tried everything to get them to stop, but nothing seems to work. I guess I'll have to put a sock in it and sleep with earplugs."

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom "put a sock in it" to mean they will have to find a way to stop the dog from barking because the neighbors won't stop it. They plan to use earplugs to block out the noise instead of trying to get the neighbors to stop the dog again.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "put a sock in it" is commonly used to mean to stop talking or being loud, end a conversation or argument, or lower the volume of something. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as telling someone to be quiet, ending a heated discussion, or adjusting the volume of a device or instrument.

    Origin of "Put a sock in it"

    The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of placing a sock or cloth over a trumpet or other noisy instrument to muffle the sound. Another theory suggests that it was a common phrase used by parents to quiet their children, as placing a sock in a crying baby's mouth would often stop them from making noise.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the phrase has been used in various forms throughout history. In the early 1900s, it was commonly used in British music halls to tell performers to stop playing and leave the stage. It also appeared in literature, such as in a 1919 book titled "The Man Who Lost Himself" by H. De Vere Stacpoole, where a character says "Put a sock in it, my dear boy, and listen to me." Over time, the phrase evolved and became more widely known, eventually taking on its current meaning.