Tongue-tied
English Idiom
Meaning: When someone is tongue-tied, they are unable to speak because they are too nervous, shy, or confused. This often happens in situations where one feels pressured or caught off guard.
Origin: The idiom 'tongue-tied' dates back to the 16th century. It originates from the literal idea of having one's tongue physically tied, making speech difficult. Over time, it evolved to describe the state of being unable to express oneself due to emotional or psychological reasons.
Examples
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Despite having rehearsed his speech multiple times, Tom found himself tongue-tied in front of the large audience.
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When asked about her secret crush, Maria became tongue-tied and couldn't utter a single word.
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During the job interview, David felt so tongue-tied that he struggled to answer even the simplest questions.
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Sarah was tongue-tied when she met her favorite celebrity, unable to say anything coherent.
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Facing the unexpected proposal, Lisa was tongue-tied and just stared in disbelief.
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Peter's tongue-tied state during the presentation cost him the deal as he couldn't articulate his points clearly.
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Feeling tongue-tied, Emma stood there awkwardly, unable to respond to the compliment from her boss.
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Caught off guard by the surprise party, Jack was tongue-tied and couldn't express his gratitude properly.
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Susan was tongue-tied when she had to explain the complicated situation to her parents.
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In front of the camera, the usually confident actor became tongue-tied and forgot his lines.
