a slip of the tongue
/ə ˌslɪp əv ðə ˈtʌŋ/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
a small mistake when you say a different word by accident
Examples
- 1I accidentally called my teacher Mum; it was just a slip of the tongue.
- 2In the interview, Leo said he hated teamwork, then quickly explained it was a slip of the tongue.
- 3Sorry, I said Tuesday but I meant Thursday – a slip of the tongue.
- 4The presenter used the wrong name for the winner, but everyone knew it was a slip of the tongue.
- 5Was calling the new manager by the old manager’s name really a slip of the tongue?
Grammar
A countable noun phrase: a slip of the tongue, plural slips of the tongue. Often after it was or just.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →lost for wordsso surprised or moved that you cannot speakclear the airto talk openly to end bad feelings between peoplespeak volumesto show something very clearly without wordsthe gift of the gabthe ability to talk easily and persuasivelybeat around the bushto avoid saying something directlycut to the chaseto talk about the most important thing without delay
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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