有个年轻人参加完一个非常重要的会议后，心情糟糕透顶。他说：There were some of the really big bosses there and when they asked me a question I just couldn't think of what to say. I was completely tongue-tied.

　　原来与会的都是一些非常重要的领导，这个年轻人一时紧张，什么也回答不上来了，所以他就被 tongue-tied 舌头被系住了，结巴了。这个比喻非常形象，当一个人的舌头被什么东西系住后，如果想说话当然就会比较困难了。

　　实用例句：

　　A: Hey, how was that date you went on with Alan? He's so sexy!

　　B: I know, but I was so nervous. I was completely tongue-tied when he asked me anything. He must think I'm such an idiot!

　　例句中，这位女同胞和自己非常喜欢的男士约会，可是因为自己太紧张了，这个男士问她的问题她一个也回答不上来。她是彻底不知道该说什么了，tongue-tied。下面例中的两个人则都有过面试时紧张到忘词的经历。

　　A: I had a job interview recently and I just couldn't get my words out properly when they asked me questions. I was really tongue-tied.

　　B: I know what you mean. Sometimes I get tongue-tied when I'm in an interview.