Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To make a slip of the tongue: To say something unintentionally, especially something embarrassing, secret, or incorrect that one did not mean to reveal.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy đã sẩy miệng tiết lộ bí mật. (He made a slip of the tongue and revealed the secret.)
  • Tôi xin lỗi vì đã sẩy miệng. (I apologize for my slip of the tongue.)
  • Cô ấy sợ mình sẽ sẩy miệng trong cuộc họp quan trọng. (She is afraid she will make a slip of the tongue during the important meeting.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a minor, unintentional verbal mistake with potentially significant consequences, rather than a major factual error.
• It is commonly used in contexts involving secrets, sensitive information, or social blunders.

Variants and Related Words

• Lỡ lời (verb phrase): to misspeak, to say something unintentionally. This is a close synonym.
  • Ông ấy lỡ lời và phải hối hận. (He misspoke and had to regret it.)

Synonyms

• To misspeak: To say something in a way that is not correct or accurate.
• To let slip: To accidentally reveal a piece of information.
• To have a slip of the tongue: The direct equivalent idiom in English.

Related Idioms

• Sẩy chân: to slip with one's foot (to have a physical misstep). This idiom uses the same core verb "sẩy" (to slip/let slip) applied to a physical action, contrasting with the verbal error of "sẩy miệng."
  • Cẩn thận kẻo sẩy chân trên cầu thang. (Be careful not to slip on the stairs.)

1. Make a slip of the tongue