B2idiomcommunicationIELTS-friendly
on the tip of your tongue
USUK
almost remembered: you know a word or name but cannot say it right now
Usually 'It's on the tip of my tongue.' Useful when you forget a word while speaking.
In context
What's that actor's name? It's on the tip of my tongue!
If a word is on the tip of your tongue in the speaking test, just describe it instead.
Common mistake
Incorrect: It's at the tip of my tongue.
Correct: It's on the tip of my tongue.
More idioms about communication
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- beat around the bushto avoid saying something directly, usually because it is uncomfortable
- get the wrong end of the stickto understand something in the wrong way
- get to the pointto start talking about the most important part of a subject
- get your point acrossto make other people understand what you are trying to say