ENGLISH
REFERENCE

silver tongued

C1 Advanced Oxford Informal Slang

describes someone who speaks in a clever and smooth way to persuade people. You use this when someone is very good at talking their way out of trouble or into a deal.

possessing a marked ability to speak eloquently and persuasively, often implying a degree of cunning or manipulative intent. Adjective, typically compound.


SIMPLE

The silver-tongued salesman quickly convinces the crowd to buy his goods.

CONTEXTUAL

A silver-tongued lawyer managed to sway the jury despite the lack of physical evidence presented by the prosecution.

COMPLEX

The diplomat was so silver-tongued that even his fiercest critics found themselves nodding in agreement by the time he reached his concluding remarks during the summit.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference