tongue-tied

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tongue-tied (comparative more tongue-tied, superlative most tongue-tied)

1. (idiomatic) Unable to express oneself clearly or fluently; at a loss for words.

   If you have never practiced at interviewing for a job, you are likely to have a few tongue-tied moments during your first interview.

   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Life of Æsop.] Of Æsop’s Countrey, Condition, and Person”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: Printed for R[ichard] Sare, […], OCLC 228727523, page 1:

     And he [Aesop] was not only Unhappy in the moſt ſcandalous Figure of a Man that ever was heard of; but he was in a manner Tongue-Ty'd too, by ſuch an Impediment in his ſpeech, that People could very hardly underſtand what he ſaid.

2. Suffering from tongue-tie or ankyloglossia.

• cat got your tongue
• on the tip of one's tongue
• speechless