“Cat got your tongue” is a very popular idiomatic expression that people use usually to make fun of someone.
Just like other idiomatic expressions, this statement has its hidden meaning and doesn’t involve a cat.
Usually, it’s used as a question to ask someone if they can’t speak.
Also, there are similar phrases you can use instead of this expression. So, if you need similar phrases, this article will help you.
I’ll be discussing 15 similar sayings and how to use them. First, however, I’ll explain the meeting.
15 Similar Sayings to “Cat Got Your Tongue”
There are countless similar sayings to this expression, “cat got your tongue.” When someone is lost for words or doesn’t speak when you expect, there are different expressions you can use to confront them.
Some of the phrases similar to “cat got your tongue” include: “why are you speechless?” “Don’t you want to speak?” “Are you tongue-tied?” and “Why are you quiet?”
Here are 15 of them:
Don’t You Want to Speak?
This is one of the ways to ask someone why they’re silent. When someone doesn’t speak when you’ve said something to them or asked them a question, you can use this response with them.
With your tone of voice, you can portray how you feel. You can sound upset sarcastic, and even calm
Are You Tongue-tied?
As we all know the human tongue is involved in speech. So, anything affecting the tongue will affect the production of coherent sounds.
Therefore, if a cat got your tongue you definitely can’t speak. Likewise, if your tongue is tied. So, a good phrase that can replace the expression, “cat got your tongue” is “are you tongue-tied?”
It’s an informal expression that can use with anyone when they don’t speak when they ought to. It’ll work when you want to be sarcastic or when you’re upset, as it expresses your feelings appropriately.
Why Are You Quiet?
This is another wonderful way you can phrase your question when someone doesn’t speak to you. It’s a cool way of saying “cat got your tongue?”
This question can work appropriately in a formal or informal environment. If you don’t want to be rude to someone or appear that you’re teasing them, this is an appropriate question to ask them.
Especially if the person is shy to speak or scared, saying this calmly can show concern about their silence.
Why Are You Speechless?
This is another expression you can use when someone doesn’t reply to you when you speak to them. It’s a great alternative to “cat got your tongue?”
When you speak to someone, you should expect a response. Especially if you ask them a question or make an observation, it’s normal to expect a reply from them.
So, when this person doesn’t say a word, you can ask them why they’re speechless. You can use this question when you’re just curious about their silence or you can use it to tease them.
If you tell someone something and expect a sharp comeback but they don’t give it, you can use this question sarcastically.
Are You at a Loss for Words?
This is another question you can use sarcastically when someone doesn’t say a word to you when they’re supposed to.
If you say something to shut someone down and you succeeded, this is a suitable expression you can tease them with and it’ll get to them.
Therefore, it’s a good alternative to this expression: “cat got your tongue.” Additionally, it’s an informal expression you should use in a casual setting.
Why Won’t You Talk to Me?
Sometimes you may need to show concern to someone who’s unexpectedly quiet to you. It isn’t all occasions that you should tease people.
So, when someone goes quiet on you, instead of saying “cat got your tongue,” you can ask them why they won’t talk to you.
It’s an appropriate question for a friend or someone you share a relationship with, especially if you see that they’re scared of you.
In addition, phrasing your question this way can make them open up to you.
Don’t You Have What to Say?
This is another question to ask someone who wouldn’t say a word to you when you expect them to.
It’s a good replacement for the phrase “cat got your tongue?” Also, you can use it to question someone sarcastically.
For instance, if there’s someone who talks too much in your group, and someone says something which silences them, you can use this question to tease them.
Using this question will let them get to them, especially if they always have an answer for everything.
Nothing to Say?
This is another sarcastic question to ask someone who’s lost for words. When you’re acquainted with someone who has an opinion on every topic, it’s normal to feel irritated most of the time.
Therefore, this would be an appropriate response to them when they don’t know what to say in any situation. It’s a good way to tease them or make fun of them.
Using this reply will get to them and even teach them a lesson about knowing when and when not to speak. So, it’s a good alternative to “cat got your tongue?”
Now You’re Speechless
Here you’re observing someone’s silence and not questioning them. When someone doesn’t reply to you when you expect, probably because they always have what to say, this is an appropriate remark to make.
Also, it’s a good retort for someone who speaks a lot or who doesn’t know how to speak to someone.
So, if you or someone says something to them and they’re suddenly lost for what to say, you can make this observation sarcastically.
Why Don’t You Say Something Anymore?
This is another good way to reply to someone who isn’t replying to your questions.
If it’s the case that you’ve been conversing with them, and then they suddenly go quiet, you can use this question with them instead of “cat got your tongue.”
It’s an appropriate question to use when you don’t want to sound rude to them. Also, it’ll show that their response is important to you.
Why Aren’t You Answering Me?
This is another to ask someone why they aren’t replying to your question or observation.
If you’ve been talking to someone and they stop responding, this is an appropriate question you can use with them.
Saying this calmly can show you’re concerned that they aren’t saying a word. So, this is another suitable question to use when you don’t want to appear rude.
However, you should be mindful of your tone, so you don’t sound like you”re upset with them. So, this is a nice way of saying “cat got your tongue?”
Is There Something in Your Throat?
Another question you can ask someone who wouldn’t reply to you when you expect them to is “is there something in your throat?”
Usually, it’ll be difficult for someone to speak when there’s something stuck in their throat because the air passes through it.
Additionally, it’s a suitable question you can use for someone when you want to be sarcastic with them.
Therefore, it’s a good alternative to “cat got your tongue?”
Is Your Tongue Suddenly Heavy for You?
This is another sarcastic question to ask someone who’s at a loss for what to say.
It’s appropriate to use it with someone who speaks a lot and always has a comeback for people.
So, if you give them a smart retort during a conversation and they remain quiet, you can use this question to tease them.
Why Won’t You Say a Word?
This is another way to question someone who wouldn’t reply to you when you expect. It’s a gentle way of phrasing the question, “cat got your tongue?”
So, you can use this question when you don’t want to be rude. However, depending on your tone you can also show that you’re upset with the person when they won’t speak to you.
Just Say Anything
You don’t necessarily have to question someone who wouldn’t reply to you. You can just ask them to speak.
So, if someone won’t say a word to you, you can ask them to say anything instead of saying “cat got your tongue?”
This statement will not only serve the same purpose, but it can also get them to start talking. You can politely say this to someone shy of speaking instead of teasing them.
Finally
When someone remains quiet when you expect them to speak, “cat got your tongue?” is the usual idiomatic question for such people.
You can use this phrase to either show that you’re upset or to make fun of someone.
So, there are different similar sayings you can use to replace this question. When someone won’t say a word to you, you can use any of the above examples to politely ask them why or to tease them.