holding one's peace

Verb

hold one's peace (third-person singular simple present holds one's peace, present participle holding one's peace, simple past and past participle held one's peace)

1. (idiomatic) To refrain from speaking; to be silent.
   • Thurio: How likes she my discourse?
     Proteus: Ill, when you talk of war.
     Thurio: But well, when I discourse of love and peace?
     Julia: [Aside] But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...