something is on the tip of your tongue
English Meaning & Definitions
You are trying to remember a particular word, name, or piece of information that you are certain you know, but you cannot quite recall it at the moment.
- “Her name is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember it right now.”
- “Don't tell me the answer! It's on the tip of my tongue.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “something is on the tip of your tongue”.
This idiom dates back to the 17th century, utilizing the physical sensation of speech formation. It refers to the psychological phenomenon where a person knows a word or piece of information but temporarily cannot retrieve it from memory, as if the word is physically poised in the mouth just waiting to be spoken.
Imagine a word sitting right at the front of your mouth like a diver on a diving board, just about to jump off your tongue.
Frequently Asked Questions About “something is on the tip of your tongue”
1. What is the meaning of “something is on the tip of your tongue” in English?
In English, something is on the tip of your tongue (idiom) is defined as: “You are trying to remember a particular word, name, or piece of information that you are certain you know, but you cannot quite recall it at the moment.”.
2. How do you use “something is on the tip of your tongue” in a sentence?
“Her name is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember it right now.”
3. What are English synonyms of “something is on the tip of your tongue”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “something is on the tip of your tongue”?
This idiom dates back to the 17th century, utilizing the physical sensation of speech formation. It refers to the psychological phenomenon where a person knows a word or piece of information but temporarily cannot retrieve it from memory, as if the word is physically poised in the mouth just waiting to be spoken.
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