on the tip of tongue

on the tip of (one's) tongue

Almost able to be recalled. Her name is on the tip of my tongue. Just give me a minute, I'll remember it. I had the answer on the tip of my tongue, but couldn't think of it in time.

See also: of, on, tip, tongue

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*on the tip of one's tongue

Fig. [of a thought or idea] about to be said or almost remembered. (*Typically: be ~; have something ~.) I have his name right on the tip of my tongue. I'll think of it in a second. John had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but Anne said it first.

See also: of, on, tip, tongue

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

on the tip of (one's) tongue

On the verge of being recalled or expressed.

See also: of, on, tip, tongue

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.