(Has the) cat got your 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.
(Has the) Cat got your tongue?
Why are you not saying anything? (Often said by adults to children.) 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?" Hi, Lisa! How are you? How's your husband? Are you surprised to see me? What's the matter, has the cat got your tongue?
See also: cat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
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.
has the cat got your tongue?
People say Has the cat got your tongue? when they think that someone who is silent should be saying something. Has the cat got your tongue? Can't you even say hello? Note: This expression is often used angrily.
See also: cat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
(has the) cat got your tongue?
(informal) why don’t you say anything?: What’s the matter — cat got your tongue?See also: cat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- (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