with forked tongue

with (a) forked tongue

Duplicitously or beguilingly; untruthfully. It's becoming increasingly obvious that the president-elect spoke with forked tongue during his campaign. He learned quickly that speaking with a forked tongue was an effective way of getting ahead in business.

See also: forked, tongue

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

with forked tongue

untruthfully or deceitfully. humorous

The image is of the forked tongue of a snake, snakes being traditional symbols of treachery and deceit.

2002 New York Times Orpheus members have long spoken with forked tongues about conductors. They…make sweeping generalizations about them.

See also: forked, tongue

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017