hard-shell clam

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noun

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of hard-shell clam

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hard-shell clam in a sentence

You see this a lot when individuals who are accused of something decide to clam up, often under the advice of their attorney.
Untruth and Consequences in Ferguson|Matt Lewis|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Back in California, Zach finds that people from whom he might learn about the bombing either die, disappear, or clam up.
Joseph McElroy’s ‘Cannonball’ Is the Meta Iraq War Novel|Tom LeClair|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All of which makes me wonder why Lindsey Graham and his cohort were so afraid the guy would clam up.
The System Is Working|Michael Tomasky|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Then I thought the non-celebrities would clam up because the cameras would make them nervous.
Does 'Rehab' Help or Hurt?|Maria Elena Fernandez|September 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

“The Clam Castle was crowded with taxpayers,” Pete says in typical fashion.
Jeffrey Eugenides Hails Donald Antrim’s 'Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World'|Jeffrey Eugenides|June 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The recovery of the oyster, clam and other edible shell-fish is also a feature of the work which the Lake Company has in view.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
Its shores were long stretches of mud-flats, corrugated everywhere with thousands of clam-holes.
The Rival Campers Afloat|Ruel Perley Smith
Then I saw that the two halves of the clam-shell bucket were slightly open, just wide enough to let me squeeze in.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
Down fell that pretty innocent, as falls a snow-white lamb; Her hair drooped round her pallid cheeks, like sea-weed on a clam.
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
"It's your kind of clam chowder, too," said Mrs. Hills, shaking her head.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for hard-shell clam

hard-shell clam

noun

another name for the quahog

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012