muzzle
B2Neutral to formal; technical in firearm context.
Definition
Meaning
A device placed over an animal's snout to prevent biting or eating; or to prevent someone from expressing opinions.
Can refer to the projecting part of an animal's face (snout) or the open end of a firearm from which the projectile emerges. Figuratively, to suppress free speech or expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has a strong literal meaning related to restraint/suppression and a physical object; its figurative use carries a negative connotation of censorship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically for all meanings. Figurative use ('to muzzle the press') is equally common in political/journalistic discourse.
Connotations
Negative when referring to suppressing speech. Neutral for the animal device or gun part.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK contexts concerning animal welfare (e.g., dangerous dog legislation).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to muzzle [someone/something]to have a muzzle onto fit with a muzzleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To put a muzzle on it (informal: tell someone to be quiet)”
- “Muzzle velocity (technical: speed of bullet leaving gun)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical sense: 'The new policy muzzles innovation.'
Academic
Used in political science/law regarding freedom of speech.
Everyday
Primarily related to pets (dogs) or news/speech suppression.
Technical
Firearms engineering (muzzle brake, muzzle velocity).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The greyhound wore a comfortable basket muzzle.
- He polished the rifle's muzzle carefully.
American English
- The muzzle of the shotgun was pointed safely downward.
- A properly fitted muzzle doesn't hurt the dog.
verb
British English
- The new law could muzzle investigative journalism.
- All dogs must be muzzled on the tube.
American English
- The government was accused of trying to muzzle its critics.
- They muzzled the aggressive dog before the vet visit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog has a black muzzle.
- Do not touch the dog's muzzle.
- Some cities require dangerous dogs to wear a muzzle in public.
- The soldier cleaned the muzzle of his gun.
- The authoritarian regime has successfully muzzled the independent media.
- The muzzle velocity of the bullet was recorded.
- Attempts to muzzle scientific dissent often backfire spectacularly.
- The legislation was seen as a thinly-veiled attempt to muzzle opposition voices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a buzzing (muzz-) bee being silenced by a zipper (-le) over its mouth.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (to be restrained); FREEDOM IS AN UNRESTRAINED ANIMAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'морда' (animal face) only; the restraint device is 'намордник'. The verb 'to muzzle' is 'затыкать рот' (fig.) or 'надевать намордник' (lit.).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'muzzle' to mean 'mouth' for humans (incorrect). Confusing 'muzzle' (gun part) with 'barrel'. Using 'muzzle' as a synonym for 'mask'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a correct use of 'muzzle'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for other animals like horses or bears, and figuratively for people. It's also a technical term for the end of a gun barrel.
It is neutral to formal, common in political and journalistic contexts to mean 'suppress speech'.
Both can mean to silence. 'Muzzle' often implies official/forceful prevention of expression, while 'gag' can be more physical or legal (a gag order).
Yes. Noun: 'a dog's muzzle'. Verb: 'to muzzle the press'.