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What does the expression “right on the tip of my tongue” mean?
What does “that's saying something” mean?No Starch Press — explain the idea behind the nameOn the meaning of the verb “give” in the phrase “give family histories of something”What does 'to take Official Notice that' exactly mean?What does it mean “to have a crush on somebody”What does “for context” as a standalone phrase mean?What does the expression “Sampe examples” mean?That's nobody's business but the Turks (or Greeks, British …) - what exactly does it mean?What does “wrap around my head” mean?Why some people think that “pretty sure” means “totally sure”?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:
- It means that I don't remember an easy word or a name right now although I already know it and I was able to remember it any time in
the past. So I'm like It'll come to me.
.
- It means that I was about to say something but someone else said it faster than me. I didn't forget this something at all. I already
remember it but someone said it before me.
Which one is correct? Is it about forgetting or speed?
phrase-meaning expressions
|
show 2 more comments
After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:
- It means that I don't remember an easy word or a name right now although I already know it and I was able to remember it any time in
the past. So I'm like It'll come to me.
.
- It means that I was about to say something but someone else said it faster than me. I didn't forget this something at all. I already
remember it but someone said it before me.
Which one is correct? Is it about forgetting or speed?
phrase-meaning expressions
3
The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
1
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
2
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
1
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:
- It means that I don't remember an easy word or a name right now although I already know it and I was able to remember it any time in
the past. So I'm like It'll come to me.
.
- It means that I was about to say something but someone else said it faster than me. I didn't forget this something at all. I already
remember it but someone said it before me.
Which one is correct? Is it about forgetting or speed?
phrase-meaning expressions
After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:
- It means that I don't remember an easy word or a name right now although I already know it and I was able to remember it any time in
the past. So I'm like It'll come to me.
.
- It means that I was about to say something but someone else said it faster than me. I didn't forget this something at all. I already
remember it but someone said it before me.
Which one is correct? Is it about forgetting or speed?
phrase-meaning expressions
phrase-meaning expressions
edited 1 hour ago
V2Blast
15418
15418
asked yesterday
user2824371user2824371
1,03921530
1,03921530
3
The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
1
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
2
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
1
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
3
The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
1
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
2
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
1
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday
3
3
The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
1
1
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
2
2
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
1
1
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
"I have a word right on the tip of my tongue" means I can almost recall it but am not able to do so. So, like in your first example.
If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon. (Cambridge Dictionary)
In your second example, when you intend to say something, but someone says it before you, you can say:
You took the words right out of my mouth. (Thefreedictionary.com)
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
To have something on the tip of (one's) tongue is quite aptly described at
the free dictionary as Almost able to be recalled.
and at
the cambridge dictionary as
you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon
So, your assumption 1. would fit.
add a comment |
"On the tip of the tongue" means you are about to say something but the words have yet to be said. It can be used in multiple ways, including in the sense of both of your examples.
From the Collins dictionary,
"on the tip of someone's tongue" can mean
1. almost said by someone.
2. about to be said, especially because almost but not quite recalled.
Your first interpretation of the idiom involves the second listed meaning. The sense of not actually remembering how to express what you want to say is typical and probably the most common usage but need not always be the case.
The second interpretation of the phrase in the post involves the first meaning, but the connection with speed may be inherent if you decide to stop saying something that was about to come out of your mouth.
Some examples:
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say the same thing but you beat me to it!" - which shares the meaning of "You took the words out of my mouth",
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say something but decided keeping quiet was a wiser choice."
"Oh look, there's an ... um ... err ... you know ... what do you call it? Its name is right on the tip of my tongue."
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
add a comment |
In addition to the above, the expression can be used in the past tense if you were about to say something, but decided not to. For example,
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I decided at the last minute to keep silent.
New contributor
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
add a comment |
It's kinda both. The expression describes the sensation of almost remembering something. If you take a computer as an analogy, it's like you've managed to find the file the word is in, and you've double-clicked to open the file, and now you're waiting for the computer to access that part of the hard drive and open the file. You know how sometimes when you try to open a file and the computer kinda freezes for a little bit? "on the tip of my tongue" describes that sensation of the information almost being accessed. With a computer, this could just be a temporary thing, such as your computer needing to spin up the hard drive, or there could be something wrong with the file, and it never opens. Similarly, something "on the tip of my tongue" could mean I need a few extra seconds for my brain's "hard drive" to "spin up" (metaphorically speaking, of course), but it could also be followed with completely failing to remember what I was looking for.
The phrase refers to a moment in which you can't remember. If that moment is followed by you remembering the next moment, then the overall effect is that it takes you longer to remember. If it's not followed by you remembering, then the overall effect is of you not remembering.
add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
"I have a word right on the tip of my tongue" means I can almost recall it but am not able to do so. So, like in your first example.
If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon. (Cambridge Dictionary)
In your second example, when you intend to say something, but someone says it before you, you can say:
You took the words right out of my mouth. (Thefreedictionary.com)
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
"I have a word right on the tip of my tongue" means I can almost recall it but am not able to do so. So, like in your first example.
If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon. (Cambridge Dictionary)
In your second example, when you intend to say something, but someone says it before you, you can say:
You took the words right out of my mouth. (Thefreedictionary.com)
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
"I have a word right on the tip of my tongue" means I can almost recall it but am not able to do so. So, like in your first example.
If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon. (Cambridge Dictionary)
In your second example, when you intend to say something, but someone says it before you, you can say:
You took the words right out of my mouth. (Thefreedictionary.com)
"I have a word right on the tip of my tongue" means I can almost recall it but am not able to do so. So, like in your first example.
If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon. (Cambridge Dictionary)
In your second example, when you intend to say something, but someone says it before you, you can say:
You took the words right out of my mouth. (Thefreedictionary.com)
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
JanJan
81239
81239
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
1
1
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
I think it's a tip not *top, right? (In the first line of the answer).
– user2824371
yesterday
1
1
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Indeed.........
– Jan
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
Well, the answer is very useful. Thank you so much for giving me an expression for the other meaning <3
– user2824371
yesterday
7
7
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
I just took it from the top of my head...
– Jan
yesterday
6
6
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
@Jan I would say it was "off the top of my head", but good answer nevertheless :)
– Andrew
yesterday
|
show 1 more comment
To have something on the tip of (one's) tongue is quite aptly described at
the free dictionary as Almost able to be recalled.
and at
the cambridge dictionary as
you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon
So, your assumption 1. would fit.
add a comment |
To have something on the tip of (one's) tongue is quite aptly described at
the free dictionary as Almost able to be recalled.
and at
the cambridge dictionary as
you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon
So, your assumption 1. would fit.
add a comment |
To have something on the tip of (one's) tongue is quite aptly described at
the free dictionary as Almost able to be recalled.
and at
the cambridge dictionary as
you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon
So, your assumption 1. would fit.
To have something on the tip of (one's) tongue is quite aptly described at
the free dictionary as Almost able to be recalled.
and at
the cambridge dictionary as
you think you know it and that you will be able to remember it very soon
So, your assumption 1. would fit.
answered yesterday
glissiglissi
26316
26316
add a comment |
add a comment |
"On the tip of the tongue" means you are about to say something but the words have yet to be said. It can be used in multiple ways, including in the sense of both of your examples.
From the Collins dictionary,
"on the tip of someone's tongue" can mean
1. almost said by someone.
2. about to be said, especially because almost but not quite recalled.
Your first interpretation of the idiom involves the second listed meaning. The sense of not actually remembering how to express what you want to say is typical and probably the most common usage but need not always be the case.
The second interpretation of the phrase in the post involves the first meaning, but the connection with speed may be inherent if you decide to stop saying something that was about to come out of your mouth.
Some examples:
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say the same thing but you beat me to it!" - which shares the meaning of "You took the words out of my mouth",
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say something but decided keeping quiet was a wiser choice."
"Oh look, there's an ... um ... err ... you know ... what do you call it? Its name is right on the tip of my tongue."
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
add a comment |
"On the tip of the tongue" means you are about to say something but the words have yet to be said. It can be used in multiple ways, including in the sense of both of your examples.
From the Collins dictionary,
"on the tip of someone's tongue" can mean
1. almost said by someone.
2. about to be said, especially because almost but not quite recalled.
Your first interpretation of the idiom involves the second listed meaning. The sense of not actually remembering how to express what you want to say is typical and probably the most common usage but need not always be the case.
The second interpretation of the phrase in the post involves the first meaning, but the connection with speed may be inherent if you decide to stop saying something that was about to come out of your mouth.
Some examples:
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say the same thing but you beat me to it!" - which shares the meaning of "You took the words out of my mouth",
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say something but decided keeping quiet was a wiser choice."
"Oh look, there's an ... um ... err ... you know ... what do you call it? Its name is right on the tip of my tongue."
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
add a comment |
"On the tip of the tongue" means you are about to say something but the words have yet to be said. It can be used in multiple ways, including in the sense of both of your examples.
From the Collins dictionary,
"on the tip of someone's tongue" can mean
1. almost said by someone.
2. about to be said, especially because almost but not quite recalled.
Your first interpretation of the idiom involves the second listed meaning. The sense of not actually remembering how to express what you want to say is typical and probably the most common usage but need not always be the case.
The second interpretation of the phrase in the post involves the first meaning, but the connection with speed may be inherent if you decide to stop saying something that was about to come out of your mouth.
Some examples:
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say the same thing but you beat me to it!" - which shares the meaning of "You took the words out of my mouth",
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say something but decided keeping quiet was a wiser choice."
"Oh look, there's an ... um ... err ... you know ... what do you call it? Its name is right on the tip of my tongue."
"On the tip of the tongue" means you are about to say something but the words have yet to be said. It can be used in multiple ways, including in the sense of both of your examples.
From the Collins dictionary,
"on the tip of someone's tongue" can mean
1. almost said by someone.
2. about to be said, especially because almost but not quite recalled.
Your first interpretation of the idiom involves the second listed meaning. The sense of not actually remembering how to express what you want to say is typical and probably the most common usage but need not always be the case.
The second interpretation of the phrase in the post involves the first meaning, but the connection with speed may be inherent if you decide to stop saying something that was about to come out of your mouth.
Some examples:
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say the same thing but you beat me to it!" - which shares the meaning of "You took the words out of my mouth",
"It was on the tip of my tongue to say something but decided keeping quiet was a wiser choice."
"Oh look, there's an ... um ... err ... you know ... what do you call it? Its name is right on the tip of my tongue."
edited 48 mins ago
answered 23 hours ago
traktor53traktor53
33613
33613
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
add a comment |
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
+1 For being beaten to saying it by someone else... when used with "was" it relates to speed (the OP's second scenario). Other answers appear to have neglected that fact.
– Greenonline
6 hours ago
add a comment |
In addition to the above, the expression can be used in the past tense if you were about to say something, but decided not to. For example,
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I decided at the last minute to keep silent.
New contributor
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
add a comment |
In addition to the above, the expression can be used in the past tense if you were about to say something, but decided not to. For example,
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I decided at the last minute to keep silent.
New contributor
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
add a comment |
In addition to the above, the expression can be used in the past tense if you were about to say something, but decided not to. For example,
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I decided at the last minute to keep silent.
New contributor
In addition to the above, the expression can be used in the past tense if you were about to say something, but decided not to. For example,
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I decided at the last minute to keep silent.
New contributor
New contributor
answered yesterday
CullubCullub
1256
1256
New contributor
New contributor
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
add a comment |
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
This seems to be a British regional usage. Certainly a valid answer, just not a universal one.
– arp
yesterday
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
Mmm, I'm sure it's somewhat regional, but I'm from Minnesota USA and I've heard it, if less frequently than the other uses. I think the difference is that this one is talking about a past event, whereas the usage laid out above is used during conversation directly.
– Cullub
10 hours ago
add a comment |
It's kinda both. The expression describes the sensation of almost remembering something. If you take a computer as an analogy, it's like you've managed to find the file the word is in, and you've double-clicked to open the file, and now you're waiting for the computer to access that part of the hard drive and open the file. You know how sometimes when you try to open a file and the computer kinda freezes for a little bit? "on the tip of my tongue" describes that sensation of the information almost being accessed. With a computer, this could just be a temporary thing, such as your computer needing to spin up the hard drive, or there could be something wrong with the file, and it never opens. Similarly, something "on the tip of my tongue" could mean I need a few extra seconds for my brain's "hard drive" to "spin up" (metaphorically speaking, of course), but it could also be followed with completely failing to remember what I was looking for.
The phrase refers to a moment in which you can't remember. If that moment is followed by you remembering the next moment, then the overall effect is that it takes you longer to remember. If it's not followed by you remembering, then the overall effect is of you not remembering.
add a comment |
It's kinda both. The expression describes the sensation of almost remembering something. If you take a computer as an analogy, it's like you've managed to find the file the word is in, and you've double-clicked to open the file, and now you're waiting for the computer to access that part of the hard drive and open the file. You know how sometimes when you try to open a file and the computer kinda freezes for a little bit? "on the tip of my tongue" describes that sensation of the information almost being accessed. With a computer, this could just be a temporary thing, such as your computer needing to spin up the hard drive, or there could be something wrong with the file, and it never opens. Similarly, something "on the tip of my tongue" could mean I need a few extra seconds for my brain's "hard drive" to "spin up" (metaphorically speaking, of course), but it could also be followed with completely failing to remember what I was looking for.
The phrase refers to a moment in which you can't remember. If that moment is followed by you remembering the next moment, then the overall effect is that it takes you longer to remember. If it's not followed by you remembering, then the overall effect is of you not remembering.
add a comment |
It's kinda both. The expression describes the sensation of almost remembering something. If you take a computer as an analogy, it's like you've managed to find the file the word is in, and you've double-clicked to open the file, and now you're waiting for the computer to access that part of the hard drive and open the file. You know how sometimes when you try to open a file and the computer kinda freezes for a little bit? "on the tip of my tongue" describes that sensation of the information almost being accessed. With a computer, this could just be a temporary thing, such as your computer needing to spin up the hard drive, or there could be something wrong with the file, and it never opens. Similarly, something "on the tip of my tongue" could mean I need a few extra seconds for my brain's "hard drive" to "spin up" (metaphorically speaking, of course), but it could also be followed with completely failing to remember what I was looking for.
The phrase refers to a moment in which you can't remember. If that moment is followed by you remembering the next moment, then the overall effect is that it takes you longer to remember. If it's not followed by you remembering, then the overall effect is of you not remembering.
It's kinda both. The expression describes the sensation of almost remembering something. If you take a computer as an analogy, it's like you've managed to find the file the word is in, and you've double-clicked to open the file, and now you're waiting for the computer to access that part of the hard drive and open the file. You know how sometimes when you try to open a file and the computer kinda freezes for a little bit? "on the tip of my tongue" describes that sensation of the information almost being accessed. With a computer, this could just be a temporary thing, such as your computer needing to spin up the hard drive, or there could be something wrong with the file, and it never opens. Similarly, something "on the tip of my tongue" could mean I need a few extra seconds for my brain's "hard drive" to "spin up" (metaphorically speaking, of course), but it could also be followed with completely failing to remember what I was looking for.
The phrase refers to a moment in which you can't remember. If that moment is followed by you remembering the next moment, then the overall effect is that it takes you longer to remember. If it's not followed by you remembering, then the overall effect is of you not remembering.
answered yesterday
AcccumulationAcccumulation
1,98117
1,98117
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The answers below are accurate, but it may be useful to know that (certainly in Britain) people sometimes say that a remark was "on the tip of their tongue" when they were about to utter it, but decided not to for some reason.
– Michael Harvey
yesterday
1
I think it’s also worth mentioning that in psychology and cognitive science, it’s considered a memory bias: more info on the Wikipedia page.
– Simone
yesterday
2
Where did you find the 2nd definition? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase to mean that.
– Barmar
yesterday
@Barmar In this link: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+tip+of+tongue and the confusion comes from this sentence: John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.
– user2824371
yesterday
1
@user2824371 Indeed, that's a valid use. It doesn't necessarily imply that someone else says it first, it just means that you were about to say it. For instance, it could be followed by "but Anne hung up the phone".
– Barmar
yesterday