a sharp tongue的意思|示意

A Sharp Tongue

When people talk about a sharp tongue, they usually mean that someone is speaking in a sarcastic, hurtful way. However, this idiom also has another meaning. A sharp tongue can also be used to refer to someone who is quick-witted and uses language to cleverly get what they want. Imagining a tongue as a sharp tool can make it easier to understand the dual meaning of this phrase.

The more commonly used definition of a sharp tongue is that someone is speaking harshly. It can be used to describe a person who is rude and unkind in their words, either verbally or in written form. This meaning of the expression can be found in literature and the Bible. In Proverbs 15:4, the Bible reads, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

The other definition of a sharp tongue is as a weapon of wit. People who use language to cleverly persuade, debate, or otherwise get their point across are said to have a sharp tongue. This meaning of the phrase is often used in regards to political rhetoric. When speaking of politicians or other public figures, people may say, “He has a sharp tongue” to mean that the person is skilled and eloquent when speaking.

In conclusion, the expression a sharp tongue can have two different meanings. On one hand, it can be used to refer to someone who speaks in an unkind and hurtful way, but it can also be used to refer to someone who is quick-witted and skilled at using language.