on the tip of my tongue

Meaning

This expression is used when you are on the verge of remembering a word, name, or fact, but cannot quite recall it at that exact moment. It implies that the memory is very close to surfacing. It is a casual, common phrase used in everyday conversations when experiencing a temporary mental block.

Examples

• Her phone number is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember the last digit.

  Her phone number is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember the last digit.

• What was the name of that restaurant we liked? It's on the tip of my tongue!

  What was the name of that restaurant we liked? It's on the tip of my tongue!

• I know this actor's face, and his name is on the tip of my tongue.

  I know this actor's face, and his name is on the tip of my tongue.

• The answer was on the tip of my tongue during the quiz, but I ran out of time.

  The answer was on the tip of my tongue during the quiz, but I ran out of time.

• I have a great recommendation for you, it's on the tip of my tongue... oh right, it's called "The Matrix"!

  I have a great recommendation for you, it's on the tip of my tongue... oh right, it's called "The Matrix"!

Common Mistakes

• ✗ His name is on the top of my tongue.

  ✓ His name is on the tip of my tongue.

  Learners often confuse 'tip' with 'top' because they both refer to an upper or end part, but the correct idiom strictly uses 'tip'.

• ✗ I have the word in the tip of my tongue.

  ✓ I have the word on the tip of my tongue.

  The preposition 'on' must be used here, not 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I know her face, but her name is ___.

  💡 You feel like you almost know it but can't say it.

  Show answer

  on the tip of my tongue

• The title of the book was ___ all morning, but I finally remembered it.

  💡 It was very close to being remembered.

  Show answer

  on the tip of my tongue