Tongue in cheek is the correct spelling in Russian. Translation of the idiom tongue in cheek, meaning and example of use

Do you know why you need to bite a bullet or poke your tongue into your cheek, why some people have red hands and wet ears? Read our article and you will find answers to these difficult questions.

It is always very interesting to find out how certain idioms appeared in a language. Sometimes their origin is so unusual that a corresponding picture involuntarily appears in our imagination, thanks to which this stable expression settles very firmly in the memory and is easily remembered. Several previous issues were devoted to idioms that include names of body parts. Today we decided to find out how some of them appeared in the English language.

"To bite the bullet"- courageously come to terms with the harsh necessity, bite the bullet (literally: “bite the bullet”). According to legend, the origin of this idiom dates back to the mid-19th century, and it appeared in America. In those days, during surgery, patients were given a stick of wood or a piece of leather in their teeth to allow them to chew on it rather than their own tongue and take their mind off the terrible pain. Apparently, during Civil War In the USA, it was not always easy to find a piece of wood or leather on the battlefield, so the wounded man was given a bullet in the mouth! The issue of lead poisoning, apparently, was of little concern to anyone at that time. Since then, it has become a custom to use this expression to mean “grit your teeth, gather your strength.” Here is an example of use:

I have decided to bite the bullet and begin to study for my Master's degree. - I decided to gather my strength and began studying for my Master's degree.

"To be wet behind the ears"- immature, fledgling; newbie, milk sucker; the milk on the lips has not dried (literally: “wet behind the ears”). This idiom appeared in the early 20th century in the United States. It was believed that newly born babies were still wet and therefore inexperienced and immature. By the way, an experienced and mature person is called “dry behind the ears” by analogy. Usage example:

He is a little wet behind the ears and doesn’t know much about his job yet. - He is still inexperienced and knows little about his work.

"To catch smb red-handed"- to catch someone at the scene of a crime, to capture smb. red-handed (literally: “to catch someone red-handed”). The expression was first mentioned in the 15th century in the Acts of Parliament of Scotland during the reign of King James I. A red hand was a name given to a person who had just committed a murder and whose hands were red with blood. Currently, this expression is used figuratively when committing any offense, not just murder. Usage example:

I caught him red-handed trying to break into my flat. - I caught him by surprise when he tried to break into my apartment.

"Tongue in cheek"- ironically, playfully, jokingly (literally: “tongue on cheek”). This expression was coined in the 19th century by Sir Walter Scott. The appearance of this idiom is explained by the facial expression that appears when you rest your tongue on your cheek. If done correctly, this movement causes a wink (we are sure you are doing this at this very moment!). In the time of Walter Scott, this meant that what was said had to be taken with a grain of salt, that is, not without irony, but on the other hand, this fraud made it possible to suppress laughter. By the way, later the expression “with a straight face” appeared - “with a straight face” (literally: “with a straight face”), which means exactly the opposite of the expression “tongue in cheek”. Usage example:

The comment made by our boss was tongue in cheek and he did not mean it. - The comment our director made was in jest and he didn't mean it.

We hope that no one catches you red-handed, you won't have to bite the bullet very often, but it's not so bad to rest your tongue on your cheek or sometimes feel wet behind your ears! ☺ What idioms with body parts interested you? Write to us and we will tell you how they came to be.

Translation: ironically, playfully, jokingly

The comment by our teacher was tongue in cheek and she did not mean it.
The comment our teacher made was in jest and she didn't mean it.

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Related topics:

1. (adj. phr.) In an ironic or sincere manner. When the faculty complained about the poor salary increments, the university’s president said that he was not a psychiatrist, thus making an inappropriate... ...
2. Idiom: a slip of the tongue Translation: slip of the tongue Example: The clerk’s comment to the customer was a slip of the tongue. The employee's remark to the visitor was a slip of the tongue....
3. Idiom: cheek by jowl Translation: next to, very close, side by side, in close proximity, right next to each other Example: The fans entered the stadium cheek by jowl. Fans entered the stadium side by side... ...
4. Idiom: turn the other cheek Translation: turn the other cheek; do not pay attention to the insult or attack; don't try to get even Example: The man decided to turn the other cheek when someone... ...
5. Idiom: hold one’s tongue Translation: keep silent, keep your mouth shut Example: He decided to hold his tongue rather than give his honest opinion. He decided to remain silent and not tell what... ...
6. Idiom: bite one’s tongue Translation: bite one’s tongue (restrain yourself from saying too much) Example: I always bite my tongue when I am talking with my aunt so that I do not... ...
7. Comment - comment, remark Translation of the word Explanatory comment - explanatory comment pithy comment - commentary in essence to withhold comment - refrain from commenting I find your Comments offensive. I... ...
8. Cheek – cheek; behave insolently Translation of the word Cheek bone - cheekbone he cheeked me - he insolently turned me to turn the cheek - turn the other cheek He kissed her... ...
9. (v. phr.) To let someone do something to youand not to do it in return; not hit back when hit; be patient wheninjured or insulted by... ...
10. Tongue - tongue, speech, chat Translation of the word Causticity of his tongue - its causticity the language frog's tongue - a frog's tongue ready tongue - a well-hung tongue His Tongue is... ...

More meanings of the word and translation of WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK from English into Russian in English-Russian dictionaries.
What is and the translation of WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK from Russian into English in Russian-English dictionaries.

More meanings of this word and English-Russian, Russian-English translations for WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK in dictionaries.

• (WITH) TONGUE IN CHEEK— ~ sincerely or ironically. → tongue
  Concise Oxford English vocab
• WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK— ➡ with your tongue in your cheek
  
• WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK- ironically; jokingly
  Anglo-Russian- English dictionary slang, jargon, Russian names
• WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK- ironically; as a joke; not serious; fooling around
  English-Russian dictionary English idioms
• WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK- ironically; jokingly
  English Russian slang dictionary
• WITH
  
• TONGUE- Muscular organ on the floor of the mouth. It is important in motions of eating, drinking, and swallowing, and …
  English Dictionary Britannica
• WITH— I. (|)wi]th, ]th, _wə] preposition Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, preposition & adverb, against, opposite, toward, with; akin to...
  
• TONGUE— I. ˈtəŋ noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English tunge, from Old English; akin to Old High...
  Webster's New International English Dictionary
• - I. (|)in, ən; usu ə n after t, d, s, or z as in “split in two”, often ə m …
  Webster's New International English Dictionary
• CHEEK— I. ˈchēk noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English cheeke jawbone, cheek, from Old English cēace; akin to Old Frisian…
  Webster's New International English Dictionary
• CHEEK- (n.) The cheek bone.
  Webster English Dictionary
• CHEEK- (n.) The cheek bone.
  Webster's Revised Unabridged English Dictionary
• TONGUE— — tongueless, adj. - tonguelike, adj. /tung/, n. , v. tongued, tonguing. n. 1. Anat. the...
  
• CHEEK- - cheekless, adj. /cheek/, n. 1. either side of the face below the eye and above the jaw. ...
  Random House Webster's Unabridged English Dictionary
• TONGUE— I. ˈtəŋ noun Etymology: Middle English tunge, from Old English; akin to Old High German zunga tongue, Latin lingua Date: …
  
• CHEEK— I. ˈchēk noun Etymology: Middle English cheke, from Old English cēace; akin to Middle Low German kāke jawbone Date: before …
  Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary
• TONGUE- noun any small sole. 2. tongue noun the clapper of a bell. 3. tongue ·noun ·same·as reed, ·noun, 5. 4. …
  Webster English vocab
• CHEEK- noun the cheek bone. 2. cheek noun the branches of a bridle bit. 3. cheek vt to be impudent or …
  Webster English vocab
• TONGUE- n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fleshy movable ...
  
• CHEEK- n (bef. 12c) 1: the fleshy side of the ...
  Merriam-Webster English vocab
• TONGUE- in most vertebrates, an organ, capable of various muscular movements, located on the floor of the mouth. In some animals...
  Britannica English vocabulary
• CHEEK— cheek, Cheek BrE AmE tʃiːk ▷ cheeked tʃiːkt ▷ cheeking ˈtʃiːk ɪŋ ▷ cheeks tʃiːks
  Longman Pronunciation English Dictionary
• TONGUE- /tʌŋ; NAmE / noun, verb ■ noun 1. [C] the soft part in the mouth that ...
  Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
• CHEEK- /tʃiːk; NAmE / noun, verb ■ noun 1. [C] either side of the face below the …
  Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
• WITH- with S1 W1 /wɪð, wɪθ/ BrE AmE preposition [Language: Old English; Origin: "against, from, with" ] 1 . ...
  
• TONGUE— I. tongue 1 S3 W3 /tʌŋ/ BrE AmE noun [Language: Old English; Origin: tunge ] 1 . MOUTH...
  Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
• CHEEK— I. cheek 1 W3 /tʃiːk/ BrE AmE noun [Language: Old English; Origin: ceace ] 1 . the...
  Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
• TONGUE- n. & v. --n. 1 the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth used in tasting, licking, and swallowing, and (in …
  
• CHEEK- n. & v. --n. 1 a the side of the face below the eye. b the side-wall of the mouth. ...
  English Basic Spoken Dictionary
• TONGUE- n. & v. n. 1 the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth used in tasting, licking, and swallowing, and (in …
  
• CHEEK- n. & v. n. 1 a the side of the face below the eye. b the side-wall of the mouth. ...
  Concise Oxford English Dictionary
• TONGUE- n. & v. --n. 1. the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth used in tasting, licking, and swallowing, and (in ...
  Oxford English vocab
• CHEEK- n. & v. --n. 1. a side of the face below the eye. b the side-wall of the mouth. ...
  Oxford English vocab
• WITH— Pronounced /wɪð/ for meanings 20 and 21. Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. ...
  
• TONGUE— (tongues) 1. Your tongue is the soft movable part inside your mouth which you use for tasting, eating, and …
  Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
• CHEEK— (cheeks) 1. Your cheeks are the sides of your face below your eyes. Tears were running down her cheeks... …
  Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
• TONGUE— I. noun COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES click your tongue (= make a short sound with your tongue to show disapproval ...
  Longman DOCE5 Extras English vocabulary
• CHEEK— I. noun COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES cheeks...flushed ▪ Her cheeks were flushed, her expression angry. gave...peck on the cheek…
  Longman DOCE5 Extras English vocabulary
• CHEEK— (BODY PART) [C] - the soft part of your face which is below your eye and between your mouth…
  Cambridge English vocab
• TONGUE- n. Muscular organ on the floor of the mouth. It is important in motions of eating, drinking, and swallowing, …
  Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
• TONGUE
  Slang English vocab
• CHEEK— See: TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
  Slang English vocab
• TONGUE- n. long tongue tongue lash tongue tied tongue walk
  Collegiate Thesaurus English vocab
• CHEEK— noun 1 part of the face ADJECTIVE ▪ flushed , hot , warm ▪ cool ▪ smooth , soft ▪ …
  Oxford Collocations English Dictionary
• TONGUE— See: AT THE TIP OF ONE"S TONGUE, CAT GET ONE"S TONGUE, HOLD ONE"S TONGUE, KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN ONE"S …
  Dictionary of English Idioms
• WITH
  
• TONGUE- noun 1) a) tongue furred/dirty/foul/coated tongue ≈ coated tongue (in a patient) b) tongue (food) 2) something shaped like a tongue, resembling ...
  Large English-Russian Dictionary
• CHEEK— I 1. noun. 1) cheek to puff (out) one"s cheeks ≈ to puff up cheeks burning, flushed cheek ≈ flaming face (with ...
  Large English-Russian Dictionary
• WITH— with.ogg _I 1. wıð = wthe I and II 2. wıð = withe I and II _II wıð prep 1. …
  
• TONGUE- tongue.ogg 1. tʌŋ n 1. 1> tongue furred /dirty, foul, coated/ tongue - coated tongue (of the patient) to put ...
  English-Russian-English dictionary general vocabulary- Collection of the best dictionaries

Is a term used to refer to humor in which a statement, or an entire fictional work, is not meant to be taken seriously, but its lack of seriousness is subtle. The origin of its usage comes from when Spanish minstrels would perform for various... ... Wikipedia

tongue-in-cheek- adj a tongue in cheek remark is said as a joke, not seriously ▪ I love that kind of tongue in cheek wit. tongue in cheek adv ▪ I think he was talking tongue in cheek … Dictionary of contemporary English

tongue-in-cheek

tongue-in-cheek- (adj. phr.) In an ironic or sincere manner. * /When the faculty complained about the poor salary increments, the university s president said that he was not a psychiatrist, thus making an inappropriate tongue in cheek remark./ … Dictionary of American idioms

tongue-in-cheek- adj. humorously ironic, mocking, or insincere * * * tongue in cheek (tŭng ĭn chēkʹ) adj. Meant or expressed ironically or facetiously. * * * … Universalium

tongue-in-cheek- adjective intended to be humorous and not meant seriously: a tongue in cheek answer ╾ ,tongue in cheek adverb … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

tongue-in-cheek- if you say something tongue in cheek, what you have said is a joke, although it might seem to be serious. She writes a very engaging and at times tongue in cheek account of her first meeting with the royal family … New idioms dictionary

tongue-in-cheek- (adj.) 1933, from phrase to speak with one s tongue in one s cheek to speak insincerely (1748), which somehow must have been suggestive of sly irony or humorous insincerity, but the exact notion is obscure … Etymology dictionary

tongue in cheek- If something is tongue in cheek, it isn’t serious or meant to be taken seriously… The small dictionary of idiomes

tongue-in-cheek- adj. humorously ironic, mocking, or sincere … English World dictionary

tongue-in-cheek- facetious amusing, blithe, clever, comic, comical, dry, farcical, flip*, flippant, funny, humorous, in fun, in jest, ironic, ironical, irreverent, jesting, jocular, joking, joshing, laughable, not serious, playful, pulling one's leg*,… …New thesaurus

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