Meaning: This idiom is used to question someone’s unusual silence or lack of response in a situation where they are expected to speak or respond. It implies puzzlement or curiosity about why the person is remaining silent.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “Why aren’t you saying anything? Cat’s got your tongue?”
- “After being asked a direct question by the teacher, Jack just sat there silently, as if the cat had got his tongue.”
- “She usually has plenty to say in meetings, but today it seems like the cat’s got her tongue.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “cat got your tongue” is uncertain, but it likely dates back several centuries. One theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from ancient Egypt, where liars’ tongues were believed to be fed to cats as punishment. Another theory suggests that the expression may have originated from medieval times when it was believed that witches could silence their victims by stealing their tongues and giving them to cats. Regardless of its origin, the idiom has become a common way to express surprise or confusion at someone’s silence.