cat got one's tongue Idiom
cat got one's tongue|cat|tongue
You are not able or willing to talk because of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue. The little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat got her tongue. Compare: LOSE ONE'S TONGUE.
cat got one's tongue
cat got one's tongue A comment made when someone is unaccountably or unusually quiet, as in
We haven't heard from you all morning—has the cat got your tongue? Often put as a question, this term originally was used mainly with a child who did something wrong and refused to answer any questions. Today it is used more generally to ask anyone to speak. [Mid-1800s]
(Has the) cat got your tongue?
A amusing catechism directed at one who is not speaking actual abundant or at all. A: "What's wrong, sonny? Cat got your tongue?" B: "Oh, he's aloof shy about new people, that's all."Learn more: catcat got one's tongue
A animadversion fabricated back addition is abnormally or almighty quiet, as in We haven't heard from you all morning-has the cat got your tongue? Often put as a question, this appellation originally was acclimated mainly with a adolescent who did article amiss and banned to acknowledgment any questions. Today it is acclimated added about to ask anyone to speak. [Mid-1800s] Learn more: cat, tongue