What's the origin of the phrase 'Cat got your tongue?'? Regardless, it is frequently used by someone who has the upper hand in a conversation. So, the meaning of the English idiom, “Has the cat got your tongue?” means: “Are you unable to talk for some reason?” When to use the English idiom “Cat Got Your Tongue” Again, most English idioms are used to add colour and variety to our language. Meaning – This expression is said to someone who has nothing to say. Spanish Translation of “(has the) cat got your tongue?” | The official Collins English-Spanish Dictionary online. Cat got your tongue?" The illustrated magazine Bayou’s Monthly, Volume 53, wrote, “Has the cat got your tongue, as the children say?” However, the presumed origin of the phrase go farther back than the 1800s, and it had nothing to do with children, but rather the high seas. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, the webmaster's page for free fun content, cat that swallowed the canary, (look) like the, catapult (someone or something) into (something). However, it … Used especially in the form of the question, "(has the) cat got your tongue?". (Have you) been keeping cool? = What is the problem?) One origin theory is that cat got your tongue? I tried asking him about the incident, but it seems the cat's got his tongue. Teenaged Son: Sure. What does (Has the) cat got your tongue? The person saying this expression is suggesting that the reason the person is not answering questions is because his tongue is missing. bell the cat ), A comment made when someone is unaccountably or unusually quiet, as in, A: "What's wrong, sonny? (has the) cat got your tongue? Are you surprised to see me? Used especially in the form of the question, "(has the) cat got your tongue?" The idiom "has the cat got your tongue?" – proverb The US version of this proverb is at night all cats are gray. Example Sentences: Mom: Son, can we talk for a second. in a sentence? The origin of the phrase 'has the cat got your tongue?' Origin: The … This expression is really easy to figure out on your own, because it’s actually what the two words mean put together. your silence is suspicious. The idiom: 猫舌 Literal translation: “Cat tongue.” What it means: “Needing to wait until hot food cools to eat it.” *Yes, Japanese has quite a few cat idioms. It suggests that a person can’t talk because a cat is holding his or her tongue and preventing speech. Origin of Cat Got Your Tongue This expression originated in the 1800s. What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? Explanation: An idiom is a sentence whose meaning cannot be inferred from the literal meanings of each word. Can't you even say hello? It isn't clear exactly where this idiom originated but it's obvious that it would be difficult to speak if a cat did get your tongue! in the Idioms Dictionary. Figurative meaning: To have a short sleep; a siesta. A: "What's wrong, sonny? Used especially in the form of the question, "(has the) cat got your tongue?" cat / cat's got your tongue: an expression that is used when someone is quiet and isn't talking or responding when you expect them to. As time went on, this became shortened to Cat got your tongue? —used to ask someone why he or she is not saying anything "You've been unusually quiet tonight," she said. (What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue -- The phrase probably comes from a custom in the Mideast hundreds of years ago, when it was common to punish a thief by cutting off their right hand, and a liar by ripping out their tongue. If you give your tongue to the cat you give the animal a lot of power, increasing the notion that the cat has more knowledge and wisdom than you. In the 18thcentury, the English Navy had the practice of whipping erring sailors with a whip which had multiple endings. Often put as a question, this term originally was used mainly with a child who did something wrong and refused to answer any questions. What is the definition of has the cat got your tongue?? How are you? B: "Oh, he's just shy around new people, that's all. Related Idioms : all cats are grey in the dark The Qualities that distinguish people from one another are obscured in some circumstances and if they can't be perceived they don't matter. has the cat got your tongue? isn't known. See definition in Dictionary spoken have you nothing to say? https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cat+got+tongue. "What's the matter? But you could kind of imagine if a cat were to take your tongue, without a tongue you cannot talk. This idiom is often accompanied by “What’s the matter” at the beginning of it. We’d say, “Cat got your tongue?” Or, if the person normally is very talkative but today for some reason they’re being quiet you could say, “Cat got your tongue?” So, this phrase is not related to cats at all. A: "What's wrong, sonny? Another theory is that the “cat” referenced in cat got your tongue? All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. ", Grandpa used to terrify me, both because he was big and fierce-looking and because he usually greeted me by bellowing, "Cat got your tongue?". https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+cat%27s+got+his+tongue, One is unable or unwilling to speak. This phrase has an interesting origin. A cat nap. A: Many English idioms involve the word “tongue” and have to do with being too quiet, too talkative, speaking too soon, speaking too harshly, and so on. B: "Oh, he's just shy around new people, that's all. What's the matter, has the cat got your tongue? Answer: A. were starting to think the cat had gotten her tongue. Literal meaning: The idea here is that … B: "Oh, he's just shy around new people, that's all." So after receiving a beating, while the poor sailor lay in a corner sulking or not speaking, other sailors will walk up to him and tease "Did the cat get your tongue? What is certain is that it isn't derived as a reference to the cat o' nine tails or people's tongues being fed to cats in ancient Egypt. stems from the medieval fear of witches and their familiars, black cats. One is unable or unwilling to speak. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. How do you use has the cat got your tongue? phrase. This idiom can be said to someone who is refusing to answer a question or someone who has no response to an accusation of some sort. (Have you) been keeping out of trouble? ", referring to the whip. A humorous question directed at one who is not speaking very much or at all. "cat got your tongue" means. If you've ever had the satisfaction of completing a challenging task … (Has the) cat got your tongue? Felines, being the mysterious creatures they are, account for a lot of myths, legends, and popular idioms. A third theory is the assertion that ancient kings cut off the tongues of liars and fed the tongues to their cats. Meaning: Leave things alone, especially if they can stir up trouble. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Meaning: Don’t get rid of valuable things along with the … Learn more in the Cambridge English-Chinese simplified Dictionary. is the cat-o’-nine-tails, a vicious whip used on early sailors which would render the victim speechless. definition: 1. something you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak: 2. something you…. translations: （用于生气地质问）舌头让猫给叼走了吗？为什么不吭声？. Cat got your tongue?" Definition of (Has the) cat got your tongue? When someone is speechless or without words (sometimes out of surprise) you will say “Cat got your tongue?” to prompt them to react. Like the Cat that Ate the Canary. If you are annoyed with someone because they are not speaking you might ask them “Has the cat got your tongue? ? Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. I tried asking him about the incident, but it seems the cat's got his tongue. Cat got your tongue?" the cat has got his tongue Someone is remaining silent. has the cat got your tongue? Why are you not saying anything? -phrase. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. If the cat had your tongue, would you be able to talk? (Have you) been OK? Hi, Lisa! meaning: 1. something you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak: 2. something you…. On the other hand, to give your tongue to the cat symbolizes failure. Mom: Are you hiding something from me? Related terms: is well-known and it is a question usually asked to someone who is silent and refuses to speak even when addressed. cat got one's tongue A comment made when someone is unaccountably or unusually quiet, as in We haven't heard from you all morning-has the cat got your tongue? Idiom – Cat got your tongue? All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. The full form is “Has the cat got your tongue” but it is often shortened to “Cat got your tongue?” This expression is simply an inducement to speak. How's your husband? ... (one) has had hot dinners (Have you) been keeping busy? Others have talked about the idiom's origin but as far as the meaning goes, this is a mildly sarcastic expression used to get someone to start talking. A: "What's wrong, sonny? Often used on children who are shy or who are being suspiciously silent, such as after they have done something wrong and do not want to admit to it. 'Has the cat got your tongue' is a light-hearted question addressed to someone who is inexplicably silent. or Has the cat got your tongue? What is the meaning of has the cat got your tongue?? Learn more. In fact, it may be all this myth and metaphor that’s the real underlying meaning behind the phrase “Cat got your tongue?” Since the beginning of our relationship with cats thousands of years ago, they’ve been a source of mystery. has the cat got your tongue? I won’t contradict this: I love cats and find them very wise. Learn more. expression mean? When spoken to adults, it is sometimes humorous and at other times rude. What are synonyms for has the cat got your tongue? Wikimedia Commons A cat o’ nine tails Animals, Cat, Tongue C 1 Thoug… Has the cat got your tongue? Definition of cat got your tongue. Over 100,000 Spanish translations of English words and phrases. When someone clams up, we say “the cat has got his tongue” or “cat got your tongue?” Meaning/Usage: Used when someone has nothing to say Explanation: One explanation is that a long time ago, a witches cat would steal the tongue of a person to prevent them from telling others.However, this is only a tale and there are many guesses where this idiomatic phrase came from. From Kazakh translator Askhat Yerkimbay: The idiom: Сенің арқаңда күн көріп жүрмін Literal translation: “I see the sun on your back.” This whip was nicknamed "the cat" because it commonly had nine endings. I tried asking him about the incident, but it seems the cat's got his tongue. 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