Dictionary

sharp tongue en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) The practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.
   • Mr. Thomas rarely misses a chance to use his sharp tongue. Republicans are terrified of him; Democrats call him a bully. 2003 July 28, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Washington Memo: Can a 'Wire Brush' Learn Civility?”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 May 2014:
   • Times grew worse and worse with Rip Van Winkle as years of matrimony rolled on; a tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. 1819, Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle:
   • He hated the Professor, who smelt the rogue in him, and scourged him continually with his sharp tongue. 1910, H. Rider Haggard, chapter 5, in Queen Sheba's Ring:

Forms

Relateds

silver tongue · wicked tongue

Translations (2)

ru о́стрый язы́к (speaking in a harsh manner) · pl cięty język (speaking in a harsh manner)