Cat got your tongue

Meaning

The idiom "cat got your tongue" means that someone has successfully deceived or put someone else into a difficult situation by making them say something they didn't intend to say. It can also mean that someone is being too quiet or reserved, or that they are unable to speak up or respond in a given situation.

Usage

• I should have known you were lying when you said you were going to the gym. Your cat got your tongue! - This sentence suggests that the speaker was deceived by someone's lie about going to the gym.
• The politicians in this debate are so quiet, it's like their cats got their tongues! - This sentence suggests that the speakers are being too reserved or hesitant to speak up.
• I can't believe you would say such a thing about me! Your cat got your tongue! - This sentence suggests that the speaker was caught off guard by someone's unexpected statement.
• He always has something to say, but today his cat got his tongue. - This sentence suggests that the speaker was surprised because someone usually talks a lot but was unusually quiet in this situation.
• I wanted to say something, but you beat me to it. Your cat got your tongue! - This sentence suggests that the speaker was able to deceive someone by making them say something before they had a chance to respond.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "cat got your tongue" is unknown. However, it is believed to have originated in the English language around the 14th or 15th century. There are several theories about how the idiom came about, but none have been definitively proven. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of placing a cat's tongue on someone's lips as a form of punishment. Another theory suggests that it comes from the idea that cats can speak and humans cannot, so if someone has been put into a difficult situation by another person, their "cat" (i.e., their mouth) got their tongue.

Synonyms in English

• Caught off guard
• Surprised
• Taken aback
• Deceived
• Catches people off their guard

Synonyms in other languages

• German: Fangen - This idiom means to catch someone unexpectedly or to deceive someone.
• French: Chaperonner son chat - This idiom means to keep an eye on your cat (or to make sure that your plans are going according to plan).
• Spanish: Dejar al gato fuera del bollo - This idiom means to let your guard down or to become complacent.
• Italian: Andare a bordo - This idiom means to let your guard down or to become careless.
• Dutch: Een ogen blijven op - This idiom means to keep one eye open or to stay alert.

Similar Idioms

• cup of joe

• come to a head

• watchdog