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Zip it

It means 'be quiet' or 'shut up'.

For example:

Mother: Be quiet.
Child: But I...
Mother: I said zip it!
Both meanings work "Be quiet" and "shut up"? Depending on which is the context, right? But what about, when you're impress by something, the girls specially young, always to say Shut up!!!! Can I say in my case, instead of "No way" Zip it!!!!
oh i see what you mean, like in 'Clueless' or something like that? Kind of stereotypical high-school girls (as they're portrayed on TV)? As in:

A: Guess who I'm going on a date with?
B: Who?
A: Brad Pitt!
B: Shut UPPP!!!

In this context, you can't use 'zip it' instead. 'Shut up' in this context does mean 'No way', but 'Zip it' is specifically a command.
In this particular context what does it mean Shut UPPP!!!! and can you give an example of a command using "Zip it".
Ha! Oh, shut UP!!! Although it's hardly worth learning (my opinion!!!) this means, No way! or, get out of here! or, Really???

This blouse cost fifty dollars.
Shut UP!! It did not.
Yes, it did.
No way.
Yes, WAY.

Okay, you two. Zip it!!! (Be quiet!)
OK well i wrote 'Shut UPPP!!!' like this to demonstrate a higher pitch at the end of the word 'shut up'. There is more emphasis on the 'up' - if you watch something like 'Mean Girls' you will see this used a lot. It is an example of a word that has had its meaning changed in very recent years by the younger generation. (i.e. my generation! Although mainly in America, less so in England, at least for this example). So 'Shut up' in this context simply means 'No way', 'You're joking' or 'You're kidding'. Understand? 👁 Smile :)


I gave an example of zip it above:

Becky85 said:
It means 'be quiet' or 'shut up'.

For example:

Mother: Be quiet.
Child: But I...
Mother: I said zip it!

Another would be...watch the Austin Powers films, specifically the first one I think, when Dr Evil is talking to his son. He tries to tell him to be quiet, using a number of phrases including:

Dr Evil: Sshhh
Scott: But I....
Dr Evil: I said sshhh
Scott: But Dad, I...
Dr Evil: Zip it!
Scott: This is so unfair, I....
Dr Evil: Scotty I said zip it!

Or something like that anyway! Hope that helps!
Thanks Jacinta, and what about "Zip it" as a command for "Shut up"
jacinta said:
Ha! Oh, shut UP!!! Although it's hardly worth learning (my opinion!!!) QUOTE]

jacinta is right! it's not really worth learning as it is very improper English! just teeny slang!
Antonio said:
Thanks Jacinta, and what about "Zip it" as a command for "Shut up"


Yes, Antonio, they mean the same thing.
And which would I be more offended by if someone, say a stranger in a queue/line, addressed me with those words?

Me: Excuse me, you seem to have jumped the queue
Stranger: Shut up/Zip it and mind your own business.
No, I'm asking which phrase is stronger/more insulting to hear.
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I imagine that someone saying "Zip it!" would not bother with saying anything after that.
They're both extremely rude, though.
I find both extremely rude.

They're both extremely rude, though.

There's no measurable difference in the level of rudeness to me.

I watched a video on how to deal with kids, some parenting advice and the lady who carried out the lecture said that when kids are whining, some parents decide to stay silent, no to react. She used "zip it" . So in such context it is not rude, right?


It is rather a blunt expression, but since no one is being told to zip it, it isn't rude, There is nothing inherently rude in the words themselves.
I watched a video on how to deal with kids, some parenting advice and the lady who carried out the lecture said that when kids are whining, some parents decide to stay silent, no to react. She used "zip it" . So in such context it is not rude, right?
Right. She's reporting it as what the parents do when the kids start whining, not what they say to the kids. 👁 Smile :)
I found quite a few examples of "Zip it" on YT, and each time natives used it, they made a gesture with their hand, pretending they were indeed zipping up their lips. Does that phrase require such a gesture? The lady in the picture above also did it.
Does that phrase require such a gesture?
No. It could be the other way round, that the person is primarily making a gesture for someone to be quiet, but they also say it in words. You will find the same thing with people putting a finger to their lips with they say "shh".
And why do you say "Zip your lip!" if we have two lips?
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