Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To slip out / to let slip: To say something unintentionally or by mistake, often something one immediately regrets or that was meant to be kept secret. It implies a lack of control over one's speech at a specific moment.
   • To blurt out: To say something suddenly and without careful thought, typically revealing private or tactless information.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi đã lỡ miệng nói ra bí mật. (I let the secret slip.)
  • Cô ấy lỡ miệng chê món ăn của chủ nhà. (She inadvertently criticized the host's cooking.)
  • Đừng để bị họ hỏi khéo, kẻo bạn lại lỡ miệng. (Don't let them ask you leading questions, or you might blurt something out.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a connotation of regret or causing a minor social offense, rather than a major betrayal. It is used for spontaneous verbal mistakes.
• It can be used in a self-deprecating way to apologize for a thoughtless remark.
  • Xin lỗi, tôi lỡ miệng thôi. (Sorry, it just slipped out.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lỡ lời (verb phrase): This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage to "lỡ miệng."
  • Anh ấy lỡ lời tiết lộ tin tức. (He misspoke and revealed the news.)

Synonyms

• To slip out: To be said accidentally.
• To blurt out: To say suddenly and impulsively.
• To misspeak: To say something incorrectly or in a misleading way.

Related Idioms

• While "lỡ miệng" itself is an idiomatic phrase, it is closely related to the concept of:
  • Ăn không nói có: To fabricate or twist the truth (literally: to say there is when there isn't). This is different as it implies intention, whereas "lỡ miệng" is unintentional.