Are you a fan of quiz shows or trivia games like ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ I have a love-hate relationship with quizzes. I love them when I get the answers right, but sometimes an answer is right on the tip of my tongue, and I can’t remember it in time to win the game. That drives me crazy!
In today’s video, Dara explains more about how to use this idiom in context. Check it out below!
Transcript
It’s on the tip of my tongue? What is it? A mint?
No! This is a phrase which means, “I can almost remember it! Wait a second!” or “I’ll remember it very soon!”
Let’s look at a few examples to help clarify this:
- A: What movie won Best Film at the Academy Awards in 2015?
- B: Oh, hang on! I know this! Just a second! … Agh! It’s on the tip of my tongue!
- A: Paul, what’s Jenny’s boyfriend’s name again?
- B: Jenny’s boyfriend? Hmm. … It’s on the tip of my tongue. … Oh! Roger, that’s it!
- Do you remember that lovely little village we visited in Ireland? What was its name again? Ah, it’s on the tip of my tongue … Ah, yes. Dingle!
OK, thanks for listening to … uh … what’s it … it’s on the tip of my tongue … oh, yeah, Everyday Idioms! See you next time!
Practice
Don’t forget to take the time to practice what you’ve learned in order to cement this idiom in your mind. See if you can answer the questions below using today’s idiom.
- Did you ever have difficulty remembering someone’s name at a party? Was it awkward when you had to introduce that person to someone else? What did you say?
- Were you ever stuck for a word in an English speaking test? What could you have said to the examiner?
- Did you ever have trouble remembering a fact or a date in a trivia quiz? What could you have said to your quiz partners?
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