lip

Everyday

1. Your lips are the two soft edges around your mouth. tree →
2. The lip of something, like a jug, cup or cliff, is its edge or rim. tree →
3. Informally, «lip» means rude talk: don't give me any lip. tree →

In the lessons

In science lips help you eat, speak and make sounds like «p», «b» and «m»; lips have lots of nerves and feel things easily. In health lessons lips can get chapped (dry and cracked) in cold or windy weather, and lip balm helps; lips swelling suddenly can be a sign of an allergy. In stories a trembling lip shows someone is about to cry; biting your lip shows you are holding back words. Phrases: lip balm, bite your lip, read someone's lips, my lips are sealed (I'll keep a secret), stiff upper lip.

Examples

• My lips are dry in the cold wind. tree →
• Put some lip balm on your lips. tree →
• Her bottom lip trembled and she started to cry. tree →
• My lips are sealed; I won't tell anyone about the surprise party. tree →
• Some deaf people can read lips. tree →
• The lip of the jug helps you pour without spilling. tree →
• He bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. tree →
• If your lips swell after eating, tell an adult straight away. tree →
• The cup was placed to Sir Philip's lips. tree →

Note

Countable: one lip, two lips (top lip and bottom lip). «Lip-read» or «read lips» means understanding speech by watching the mouth. Do not confuse with «leap» (a big jump). «My lips are sealed» is fine for a nice surprise, but not for unsafe secrets.

In Jewish tradition

"Uncircumcised lips" is Moses' way of saying his speech was hard or not ready, and "utterance of her lips" means what a person says in a vow. In Psalms and Proverbs the lips stand for a person's speech, as in lips that give honest answers, lips that guard against guile, or lips that utter praise.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches that a spoken vow binds a person, so one must be careful with words. Moses' words were read as a sign of humility. The rabbis also teach that one must guard the tongue and lips from evil speech and use them to praise God.

Examples

• And Moses said before the LORD: 'Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?' (Torah EXO.6.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; (Torah NUM.30.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying: 'Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?' (Torah EXO.6.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer. (Writings PRO.24.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Writings PSA.34.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let my lips utter praise: because Thou teachest me Thy statutes. (Writings PSA.119.171, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: one lip, two lips (top lip and bottom lip). «Lip-read» or «read lips» means understanding speech by watching the mouth. Do not confuse with «leap» (a big jump). «My lips are sealed» is fine for a nice surprise, but not for unsafe secrets.