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Definition |
to tease someone why they are not speaking |
Examples |
1) After being asked a direct question in the meeting, he stood there
silently, as if the cat had got his tongue.
2) When the teacher called on her to answer in front of the class, she
froze, and it seemed like the cat had got her
tongue. |
Etymology |
It originated from ancient Egypt, where
liars' tongues were cut off and fed to cats. |
Synonyms |
lost for words ?, mum's the word ? |
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