13 Best Idioms For Speech

English Idioms for Speech, expressions, and proverbs are an important part of the English language, both spoken and written English are saturated with them.

For English Language Students idioms are difficult to understand. The reason being Idioms don’t make literal sense.

To learn the meanings and usage of idioms, learners must study and familiarize themselves with their everyday usage.

The team at Lillypad understands the pain and difficulties English Learners run across comprehending the true meaning and right usage. This idioms list of Speech makes learning effortless, with common Speech idioms, definitions, and example sentences that make the meaning clear.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it’s a good idea to master some of these expressions with daily practice, so bookmark this page or share it with your friends; now let us learn about idioms for Speech together.

Idioms for Speech with Meanings, Definitions & Example Sentences

1. Cat got your tongue?

Definition and Meaning: “Cat got your tongue?”

This idiom is used for someone who won’t speak.

“Cat got your tongue?” Example Sentences:

• Why won’t you give an answer? Has the cat got your tongue?
• Why so quiet? Cat got your tongue?
• Cat got your tongue? I told you, you’d be shocked.
• “Has the cat got your tongue?” she pressed when he didn’t answer her question.
• What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?

2. Tongue-tied

Definition and Meaning: Tongue-tied

The expression “tongue-tied” means to be unable to speak well or articulate oneself for a moment.

Tongue-tied Example Sentences:

• He was tongue-tied when she mentioned the theft.
• The suspect was tongue-tied after he was arrested.
• I get tongue-tied when I become the center of attention.
• Why do you get tongue-tied every time he speaks to you?
• She’s getting tongue-tied over the issue at work.

3. Spit It Out

Definition and Meaning: Spit It Out

The expression “spit it out” is used to urge someone to tell something they don’t want to or to ask someone to say what they want or need to say quickly.

Let’s Talk Example Sentences:

• I know you know something. Spit it out!
• Oh, spit it out. The look in your eyes says you know more.
• Spit it out already. I can tell you’re dying to speak.
• I wish you’d just spit it out, whatever it is you’ve been struggling to say.
• Seriously, spit it out already. I don’t have all day.

4. Gift Of The Gab

Definition and Meaning: Gift Of the Gab

The expression “gift of the gab” describes the ability to speak eloquently or very well about a topic.

Gift Of The Gab Example Sentences:

• Holy Molly! You really do have the gift of the gab.
• She may seem quiet. But talk about dinosaurs and suddenly she’s go the gift of the gab.
• Not everyone has the gift of the gab. Some of us think better.
• He’ll do well in the debates. He’s go the gift of the gab.
• I’ve got the gift of the gab when it comes to true crime.

5. Talk In Circles

Definition and Meaning: Talk In Circles

The expression “talk in circles” means to speak vaguely or indirectly.

Talk In Circles Example Sentences:

• Stop talking in circles. Tell me exactly what happened.
• He keeps talking in circles and I’m still waiting for his point.
• I don’t like people who talk in circles.
• Talking in circles might buy you time in thinking about what to say next.
• You talk in circles every time I ask you about your whereabouts last Monday.

6. Chew The Fat

Definition and Meaning: Chew The Fat

To speak or talk in an informal or comfortable manner.

Chew The Fat Example Sentences:

• It’s rare for some East Asian countries to chew the fat with superiors.
• Chewing the fat with my supervisor wasn’t easy.
• The boss decided to chew the fat with his employees during the party.
• I can’t believe you chew the fat with your parents in such a way.
• With my younger cousins, chewing the fat felt awkward.

7. Spill The Beans

Definition and Meaning: Spill The Beans

This expression means to divulge sensitive information or a secret.

Seven Example Sentences:

• I trust him not to spill the beans.
• Don’t spill the beans about who broke the vase.
• Try not to spill the beans at the team meeting later.
• We wanted to know who stole Kim’s lunch but Gemma won’t spill the beans.
• Spill the beans if you don’t want to get into more trouble.

8. Talk Until One Is Blue In The Face

Definition and Meaning: Talk Until One Is Blue In The Face

This idiom is used to describe talking to people who don’t pay attention or listen.

Talk Until One Is Blue In The Face Example Sentences:

• Lisa could talk until she’s blue in the face but her children still won’t make up their beds.
• I feel like I’m talking until I’m blue in the face when I’m recommending things.
• No one listens to the new director. He could talk until he’s blue in the face.
• Should I keep trying? Because I’m talking until I’m blue in the face but no one cares.
• You could talk until you’re blue in the face but they’ll do things as they’ve always done.

9. Talk Shop

Definition and Meaning: Talk Shop

This idiom means to talk about work

Talk Shop Example Sentences:

• You can stay for lunch as long as you don’t talk shop.
• Let’s talk shop to find solutions quickly.
• They’re talking shop on the balcony.
• Can we not talk shop while we’re here? I’m sick of work as it is.
• It didn’t feel like a party because we talked shop the whole time.

10. Bite Somebody’s Head Off

Definition and Meaning: Bite Somebody’s Head Off

To scream at somebody, especially for the purpose of scolding or criticism.

Bite Somebody’s Head Off Example Sentences:

• Don’t bite my head off for your own mistakes.
• He loves to bite somebody’s head off when he’s at the office.
• The manager has never bitten anybody’s head off until Bob started working.
• Do this properly unless you want Raymond to bite your head off.
• Dawson is quick to anger. He bites somebody’s head off on a daily basis.

11. Talk In Riddles

Definition and Meaning: Talk In Riddles

It means to speak vaguely or by giving hints.

Talk In Riddles Example Sentences:

• Enough. You’re talking in riddles again.
• I’d appreciate it if you stopped talking in riddles.
• You’re talking in riddles, old man. Give it to me straight.
• He takes pleasure in talking in riddles.
• The suspect is talking in riddles, further confusing the detective.

12. (You) Should Talk

Definition and Meaning: (You) Should Talk

The expression “you should talk” is used for someone who is guilty of the same thing they’ve criticized.

You Should Talk Example Sentences:

• You should talk. Didn’t your organization do the same thing last month?
• But you did the same thing last year with one of your clients. You should talk.
• You should talk! You’re doing to us what Gary did to the union.
• He should talk! Wasn’t he the one with the most tardies last year?
• Now that a restaurant is banning them, it’s suddenly intolerant? They should talk!

13. Bull Session

Definition and Meaning: To Be Honest

An informal discussion among a small group, which is usually impromptu and rambling.

Bull Session Example Sentences:

• I had to step out to steer clear of the bull session.
• There was a lot more criticism during the bull session last night.
• Our team had an all-night bull session over at Miranda’s place.
• Whatever talk happens in our afternoon bull sessions should remain secret.
• Bull sessions get lengthier and more enthused if alcohol is present.

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