[slip] of the tongue
1
an accidental and minor mistake made while speaking
The idiom "slip of the tongue" originated from the idea that speech is a deliberate act that requires conscious control, and that sometimes this control can be momentarily lost or "slip" due to various reasons. The phrase is commonly used to describe situations where someone says something embarrassing, inappropriate, or offensive by accident.
- He regretted his slip of the tongue during the interview, which cost him the job.
- She didn't mean to offend anyone; it was just a slip of the tongue.
- The politician's many slips of the tongue have made him a liability for his party.