idiom

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mehdihas

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Dear Native speakers,
What's the meaning of the boldfaced idiom in the following context?
"I never realized how many different kinds of people there are in middle school. There are people who were born with a silver spoon in theirmouth and people who always have the cat on their tongue. "
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SoothingDave

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Apr 17, 2009
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Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I've never seen the expression worded or used like that.

If someone is left speechless, you might say "What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?" (Or simply "Cat got your tongue?")

The cat is not on your tongue. That doesn't make any sense. Maybe the BrE speakers use the expression differently.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
I use it the same way as you.
 
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