tongue
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
The muscular organ in the mouth, used for tasting, swallowing, and articulating speech.
Refers to a language or dialect; something shaped like a tongue, such as a strip of land or part of a shoe; also used metaphorically for speech or expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in metaphorical contexts related to language, speech, or restraint. Can imply personal or native aspects when referring to language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; core usage is identical. Some idioms may have slight variations in phrasing, but overall consistency in meaning and application.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'tongue' connotes language, speech, or physical organ with similar metaphorical extensions, such as in 'mother tongue' or 'sharp tongue'.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English across various contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: tongue + object (e.g., to tongue a stamp)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold your tongue”
- “tongue-tied”
- “cat got your tongue”
- “on the tip of my tongue”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used directly; appears in phrases like 'mother tongue' in diversity or HR discussions.
Academic
Common in linguistics to refer to languages or dialects; in anatomy for the physical organ.
Everyday
Frequently used for the body part or in idioms about speech and language.
Technical
In medicine, refers to the anatomical structure; in music, as a verb for articulation on wind instruments.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tongued the stamp to affix it to the letter.
American English
- She tongued the clarinet reed to adjust the sound.
adverb
British English
- He commented tongue-in-cheek on the political scandal.
American English
- She replied tongue-in-cheek, not intending offense.
adjective
British English
- The tongue-in-cheek advertisement was cleverly humorous.
American English
- His tongue-tied apology made the situation awkward.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I burned my tongue on the hot soup.
- My mother tongue is Spanish, but I learned English at school.
- A slip of the tongue during the presentation revealed the confidential data.
- Her acerbic tongue often alienates colleagues in professional discussions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine your 'tongue' as the flexible tool in your mouth that helps you talk and taste—linking it to language through 'native tongue'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TONGUE IS LANGUAGE; e.g., 'native tongue' equates the organ with one's primary language.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'язык' also means both 'tongue' and 'language', so direct translation often works, but idioms like 'hold your tongue' may not have exact equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /tɒŋ/ or /tʊŋ/
- Using 'tongue' as a verb in non-idiomatic contexts without clear object, e.g., 'He tongued' instead of 'He tongued the envelope'.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'tongue-tied' typically express?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less frequent; as a verb, it means to articulate sounds or to lick, often in specific contexts like music or sealing envelopes.
'Tongue' often implies a personal, native, or informal aspect of language, while 'language' is more general and neutral; e.g., 'native tongue' vs. 'foreign language'.
Yes, it can refer to languages, speech, or tongue-shaped objects, such as in 'tongue of land' or 'shoe tongue', extending from its physical resemblance.
Pronounce it as /tʌŋ/, rhyming with 'sung'; avoid /tɒŋ/ or /tʊŋ/, and practice with audio resources to master the standard pronunciation.
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.