at the tip of one's tongue

[at the tip of one's tongue] or [on the tip of one's tongue] {adv. phr.}

{informal}

1. Almost spoken; at the point of being said.

* /It was at the tip of my tongue to tell him, when the phone rang./

* /John had a rude answer on the tip of his tongue, but he remembered his manners just in time./

2. Almost remembered; at the point where one can almost say it but cannot because it is forgotten.

* /I have his name on the tip of my tongue./

Tags:


	rude ²¹ time ⁵⁴⁹ tongue ²⁴ {adv. phr.} ⁵⁸³ {informal} ¹⁴⁰¹

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	See also »
	cat got one's tongue [cat got one's tongue] You are not able or willing to talk because of shyness. ... A Dictionary of American Idioms tongue [tongue] See: AT THE TIP OF ONE'S TONGUE, CAT GET ONE'S TONGUE, HOLD ONE'S TONGUE, ... A Dictionary of American Idioms lose one's tongue [lose one's tongue] {v. phr.}, informal To be so embarrassed or surprised that you cannot ... A Dictionary of American Idioms hold one's tongue [hold one's tongue] {v. phr.} To be silent; keep still; not talk. - May be ... A Dictionary of American Idioms on the tip of one's tongue [on the tip of one's tongue] {adv. phr.} About to say something, such as a ... A Dictionary of American Idioms keep a civil tongue in one's head [keep a civil tongue in one's head] {v. phr.} To be polite in speaking. * ... A Dictionary of American Idioms tongue-lashing [tongue-lashing] {n.} A sharp scolding or criticism. * /Jim's mother gave him a tongue-lashing for ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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