What Are Common Idiomatic Expressions with 'Tongue'?

TL;DR

Common idiomatic expressions with 'tongue' include 'Has the cat got your tongue?', meaning you're not speaking, and 'silver tongue', which refers to persuasive speaking skills. Other phrases include 'bite your tongue' to imply restraint from speaking, 'slip of the tongue' for minor speech mistakes, and 'mother tongue' as one's native language.

Transcript

Hi. You know what this is? This is a "tongue". Do you have a tongue? I hope so. If you didn't, you couldn't talk. Today I'm going to teach you some expressions or some idioms about the word "tongue". So, first of all, the pronunciation of this word is a little crazy; a little difficult. It looks like: "tongue", but it's actually just: "tong". So, p... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 The pronunciation of "tongue" as "tong" is different from its spelling.
• 😋 Idioms and expressions related to the tongue are used in English.
• 😋 Different cultures may have similar idiomatic expressions about the tongue.
• 😋 "Has the cat got your tongue?" is an expression used to inquire about someone's silence.
• 😋 Having a "silver" or "smooth" tongue implies being skilled in persuasive speaking.
• 😋 Biting your tongue can mean restraining oneself from speaking.
• 😋 "Slip of the tongue" refers to making minor mistakes while speaking.
• 😋 "Mother tongue" refers to one's native language.
• 😋 "Speaking in tongues" has religious and historical significance.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the expression "Has the cat got your tongue?" mean?

"Has the cat got your tongue?" means that someone is not talking or answering.

Q: What does it mean to have a "silver" tongue?

Having a "silver" tongue means being able to speak very well and having a way with words.

Q: How does biting your tongue as an idiom differ from actually biting it?

Biting your tongue as an idiom refers to not speaking on purpose, typically to avoid saying something offensive or controversial.

Q: What does "a slip of the tongue" mean?

"A slip of the tongue" refers to making a small mistake while speaking. In the context of learning English, it is seen as a normal occurrence and not something to be embarrassed about.

Q: What does "mother tongue" mean?

"Mother tongue" refers to a person's native language, usually the language spoken by their mother.

Q: What is the historical and religious significance of "speaking in tongues"?

"Speaking in tongues" historically referred to speaking a demonic language when believed to be possessed by the Devil. Today, it is often used in religious contexts to describe speaking a language one has never learned.

Q: What does it mean when someone's "tongue is hanging out" for something?

When someone's "tongue is hanging out" for something, it means they really desire or crave that thing, often referring to food or drinks.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The word "tongue" is pronounced as "tong" and not "tongue".

• "Has the cat got your tongue?" is an expression used when someone is not talking.

• Having a "silver" or "smooth" tongue means being able to speak well.