have (something) on the tip of (one's) tongue

have (something) on the tip of (one's) tongue

To be very close to remembering something, such that one is nearly able to say it out loud. Argh, I have her name 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 I couldn't think of it in time. A: "'Superfluous'?" B: "That's it! Ugh, I had on the tip of my tongue, I swear."

See also: have, of, on, tip, tongue

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