cat got one's tongue
(Has the) cat got your tongue?
A humorous question directed at one who is not speaking very much or at all. A: "What's wrong, sonny? Cat got your tongue?" B: "Oh, he's just shy around new people, that's all."
See also: cat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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? Often put as a question, this term originally was used mainly with a child who did something wrong and refused to answer any questions. Today it is used more generally to ask anyone to speak. [Mid-1800s]
See also: cat, tongue
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- (Don't ask me,) I just work here.
- (Don't ask me,) I only work here.
- GMTA
- that's my story and I'm sticking to it
- no fox given
- checks notes
- return to (one's) muttons
- SCNR
- I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you
- I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you