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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;








10















After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:




  1. 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.



.




  1. 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?










share|improve this question



















  • 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

















10















After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:




  1. 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.



.




  1. 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?










share|improve this question



















  • 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













10












10








10








After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:




  1. 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.



.




  1. 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?










share|improve this question
















After googling, I'm not really sure what exactly it means. I have two conclusions:




  1. 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.



.




  1. 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






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








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












  • 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










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















35














"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)







share|improve this answer




















  • 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



















10














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.






share|improve this answer






























    3














    "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."






    share|improve this answer

























    • +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


















    2














    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.







    share|improve this answer








    New contributor



    Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.



















    • 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


















    0














    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.






    share|improve this answer























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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes








      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      35














      "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)







      share|improve this answer




















      • 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
















      35














      "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)







      share|improve this answer




















      • 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














      35












      35








      35







      "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)







      share|improve this answer















      "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)








      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      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













      • 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














      10














      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.






      share|improve this answer



























        10














        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.






        share|improve this answer

























          10












          10








          10







          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.






          share|improve this answer













          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.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered yesterday









          glissiglissi

          26316




          26316





















              3














              "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."






              share|improve this answer

























              • +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















              3














              "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."






              share|improve this answer

























              • +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













              3












              3








              3







              "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."






              share|improve this answer















              "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."







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              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

















              • +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











              2














              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.







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.



















              • 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















              2














              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.







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.



















              • 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













              2












              2








              2







              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.







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              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.








              share|improve this answer








              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.








              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer






              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.








              answered yesterday









              CullubCullub

              1256




              1256




              New contributor



              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.




              New contributor




              Cullub is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.














              • 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











              • 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











              0














              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.






              share|improve this answer



























                0














                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.






                share|improve this answer

























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  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.






                  share|improve this answer













                  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.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered yesterday









                  AcccumulationAcccumulation

                  1,98117




                  1,98117



























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