idiom
On the Tip of Your Tongue
on the tip uv yor tung
/ɒn ðə tɪp əv jɔːr tʌŋ/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
onthetipofyourtongue
Dictionary meaning
The frustrating experience of being unable to recall a word, name, or fact that you are certain you know, feeling as though the memory is just barely out of reach; also used to describe something you are about to say.
Examples
- His name was on the tip of my tongue all evening but I just couldn't retrieve it.
- The answer to the quiz question was on the tip of her tongue — she knew it but kept drawing a blank.
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