at or on the tip of one's or the tongue

at or on the tip of one's or the tongue
idi
a) on the verge of being said
b) eluding the memory but about to be recalled:
The answer is on the tip of my tongue[/ex]

From formal English to slang. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tip of the tongue — The tip of the tongue (TOT or Tot ) phenomenon is an instance of knowing something that cannot immediately be recalled. TOT is an experience with memory recollection involving difficulty retrieving a well known word or familiar name. When… …   Wikipedia

  • on the tip of one's tongue — {adv. phr.} About to say something, such as a name, a telephone number, etc., but unable to remember it for the moment. * / His name is on the tip of my tongue, Tom said. It will come to me in a minute. / …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • on the tip of one's tongue — {adv. phr.} About to say something, such as a name, a telephone number, etc., but unable to remember it for the moment. * / His name is on the tip of my tongue, Tom said. It will come to me in a minute. / …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • at\ the\ tip\ of\ one's\ tongue — • on the tip of one s tongue • at 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… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • on\ the\ tip\ of\ one's\ tongue — • on the tip of one s tongue • at 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… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • on the tip of one's tongue — phrasal 1. : about to be uttered or blurted out 2. : just eluding recall had his name on the tip of my tongue but it s gone now * * * on the tip of one s tongue 1. Almost, but not (yet) quite, remembered 2. On the very point of being spoken • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • 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… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • on the tip of one's tongue — ► on the tip of one s tongue almost but not quite spoken or coming to mind. Main Entry: ↑tip …   English terms dictionary

  • tip — Ⅰ. tip [1] ► NOUN 1) the pointed or rounded extremity of something slender or tapering. 2) a small part fitted to the end of an object. ► VERB (tipped, tipping) ▪ attach to or cover the tip of. ● …   English terms dictionary

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