A honey tongue, a heart of gall.: Learn what the means through example!

What does “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” mean?

"A honey tongue, a heart of gall" means that someone who speaks sweetly may have an unpleasant or deceitful personality.

What context can I use the in?

Example

She may have a honey tongue, but her heart is full of gall. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. Don't trust her sweet words.

Example

He always speaks so nicely, but don't be fooled. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. He can be quite manipulative.

Example

Beware of those who flatter you excessively. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. They may have ulterior motives

Is “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” effectively in context?

You can use "A honey tongue, a heart of gall" to describe someone who speaks sweetly or flatters others, but has a deceitful or unpleasant personality. It serves as a warning to be cautious of people who may have ulterior motives. For example, if a friend introduces you to someone who seems overly friendly and complimentary, you might say, 'Be careful with them. A honey tongue, a heart of gall.'

• 1. Friendship

  She may seem nice, but remember, a honey tongue, a heart of gall. Don't trust her too quickly.

• 2. Workplace

  He always speaks so politely, but don't be fooled. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. Watch out for his hidden agenda.

• 3. Romantic Relationships

  Beware of those who shower you with compliments. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. They may not have your best interests at heart.

Similar phrases to “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.”:

All that glitters is not gold

Things that appear valuable or attractive may not actually be so.

Example

She may seem wealthy, but all that glitters is not gold. Her happiness is not genuine.

Actions speak louder than words

What someone does is more important than what they say.

Example

He may apologize, but actions speak louder than words. I need to see a change in his behavior.

A wolf in sheep's clothing

Someone who appears harmless or friendly but is actually dangerous or deceitful.

Example

Be careful around him. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "A honey tongue, a heart of gall" is unknown.

Is “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "A honey tongue, a heart of gall" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more commonly found in literature or used by individuals who are familiar with proverbs and idiomatic expressions.

What tone does “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” have?

"A honey tongue, a heart of gall" conveys a tone of caution and skepticism. It warns against trusting someone solely based on their sweet words or flattery.

Can “A honey tongue, a heart of gall.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "A honey tongue, a heart of gall" is more formal in nature. It is often used in written or spoken contexts where a proverb or saying is appropriate, such as in literature, speeches, or formal discussions.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Don't be fooled by his charm. He has "a honey tongue, a heart of gall".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Beware of "a honey tongue, a heart of gall".' to imply caution.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• smooth talker, sharp mind
• sweet words, bitter actions
• flattery, deceit

Antonyms

• honesty is the best policy
• actions match words
• genuine compliments