# sharp tongue

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sharp-tongue
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.

## Examples

- Be careful, she has a sharp tongue.
- He often regrets his sharp tongue after he says something mean to his friends.
- Despite her intelligence, her sharp tongue frequently alienated colleagues and made collaborative work difficult to maintain.

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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.