clam up (Meaning)

Wordnet

clam up (v)

refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent

Whenever the topic turned to her past, she would clam up, avoiding eye contact.
He tends to clam up in social situations, preferring to observe rather than participate.
As the interrogation intensified, the suspect began to clam up, refusing to answer any questions.
Whenever he's asked about his feelings, he tends to clam up, preferring to keep his emotions to himself.
She clammed up when her boss entered the room, afraid to speak her mind in his presence.
The shy student would clam up whenever the teacher called on him in class.
When confronted with criticism, he tends to clam up instead of addressing the issue.
Her tendency to clam up during arguments made it difficult to resolve conflicts in their relationship.
As the interview progressed, the celebrity started to clam up, giving short, guarded answers.
The politician clammed up when asked about the recent scandal, refusing to comment further.

refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent

settle (down), quiet (down),hush, dry up, shut up, hold one's peace, hold one's tongue, belt up, pipe down,dummy up

talk, talk,speak, speak, speak out, spout (off), speak up, spout (off), speak up,speak out

Whenever the topic turned to her past, she would clam up, avoiding eye contact.

He tends to clam up in social situations, preferring to observe rather than participate.

As the interrogation intensified, the suspect began to clam up, refusing to answer any questions.

Whenever he's asked about his feelings, he tends to clam up, preferring to keep his emotions to himself.