zipper-mouth face

This emoji is used when you have to keep a secret. It means your mouth is zipped shut, so you can't speak.

If a friend says, "This is a secret!" you can reply with this emoji to mean, "Got it, I won't say a word!" It can also be used when you don't want to talk anymore.

Windows 11

Apple

🤐

Google

Beyond just promising to keep a secret, it expresses situations where you have nothing more to say on a topic or find it difficult to speak. Sometimes it's used to mean, "I'm keeping my mouth shut so I don't say the wrong thing."

This emoji brings to mind the saying "Silence is golden." It's useful in work environments to prevent important information leaks or when discussing movies and TV shows to avoid spoilers. It can also be a witty way to dodge an awkward question.