Here's a breakdown of the phrase and its meaning:
* Bridle: A headstall that controls a horse's mouth and movement.
* Thy: A possessive pronoun meaning "your."
* Tongues: The organs of speech.
Therefore, "bridle thy tongues" literally means "control your speech."
It's a metaphor, comparing speech to a horse and the speaker to a rider. Just as a rider uses a bridle to control the horse, the speaker should control their speech.
The phrase implies that speech can be dangerous if not carefully managed, similar to an untamed horse. It emphasizes the importance of thinking before speaking, and avoiding harmful words.