# lay one's tongue to

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lay-ones-tongue-to
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To say; to name; to think of to say.

## Examples

- I cannot lay my tongue to the name of that song.
- She knew the answer perfectly well, but she could not lay her tongue to the right words during the presentation.
- Although the memory of the event remained vivid in his mind, he found he could not lay his tongue to a single phrase that might adequately describe the tragedy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.