Phrases for Forgetting to Do Something: Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and suddenly lost your train of thought? Or had something important on the tip of your tongue but just couldn’t remember it? Well, you’re not alone! We all forget things from time to time, and English has some fun and colorful expressions to talk about. Let’s take a look at 5 phrases that will help you talk about forgetting like a pro!
Phrases for Forgetting to Do Something

1. Lose your train of thought
👉 Meaning: Forget what you were thinking, right in the middle of thinking about it.
Example: I was telling you something important, but I lost my train of thought!
2. Slip one’s mind
👉 Meaning: Forget something.
Example: I’m so sorry I didn’t call you back sooner. It totally slipped my mind!
3. Be on the tip of one’s tongue
👉 Meaning: You know that you know something, but you can’t remember it at that moment!
Example: Her name is on the tip of my tongue. Just give me a minute, I’ll remember it!
4. Ring a bell
👉 Meaning: Something is familiar, but you can’t completely remember it.
Example: Your description rings a bell, but I don’t think I’ve ever been there myself.
5. It went in one ear and out the other
👉 Meaning: Forget something as soon as you hear it.
Example: My instructions to my kids are often in one ear and out the other, especially if they have their phone in front of them!
Explore More:
- Well vs. Good: What’s the Difference and When to Use EachWhat is the difference between good and well. These two words might seem similar, but they’re used in …
- Have You vs. Did You: What’s the Real Difference?Imagine you’re meeting a friend in the evening, and you want to ask if they …
- Difference Between I have had and I had hadHave you ever found yourself tangled in the web of “I have had” and “I …
- Understanding and Fixing Sentence FragmentsIn this lesson, you will be learning about sentence fragments. Ever written something that looks like …
- Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homophones: Boost Your Vocabulary!Are you ready to take your English speaking skills to the next level? One of …