English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Slip of the tongue
Meaning
The idiom "slip of the tongue" refers to an unintentional mistake or error in speech, often caused by nervousness, excitement, or distraction. It can also refer to a statement that was not meant to be taken seriously or a false statement made out of carelessness.
Usage
- During the job interview, John accidentally said something that he didn't mean to say, but it slipped out of his tongue.
- Sarah's slip of the tongue cost her the competition as she mistakenly revealed a crucial piece of information that should have remained confidential.
- In the heat of the argument, Tom made a slip of the tongue and said something he didn't mean to say, causing tension in the room.
- The politician's slip of the tongue caused controversy when they said something that was perceived as offensive or insensitive.
- The comedian's slip of the tongue was hilarious as they accidentally revealed a secret about themselves on stage.
Roots and History
The idiom "slip of the tongue" has been in use since the 14th century. It originally referred to a mistake made while speaking, caused by a physical slip of the tongue or the mind slipping away from the task at hand. The phrase became more commonly used in the 19th century and has since taken on a more figurative meaning that refers to a mistake or error made due to other reasons, such as nervousness or carelessness.
Synonyms in English
- Slip of the pen
- Tongue-slipping
- Blunder
- Mistake
- Erroneous statement
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "L'escargot du roi" (The king's snail) - Refers to a mistake made while speaking that is so obvious it could be heard by the king himself.
- Spanish: "El resfriado de la lengua" (The sore throat of the tongue) - Similar meaning to "slip of the tongue," but with a more negative connotation.
- German: "Der Witz des Schlagans" (The joke of the slap) - Refers to an off-the-cuff comment made during a disagreement that is meant to be humorous but may not necessarily be taken seriously.
- Italian: "Il colpo di unica" (The blow of a unique one) - Refers to a mistake made while speaking that is so rare and unexpected it becomes memorable.
- Japanese: "カラキャリ" (Karakari) - Refers to a group of people who are brought in to make accusations against someone during a meeting, often due to a slip of the tongue or other accidental revelation.