sharp tongue

plural sharp tongues

1. idiomaticThe practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.

   He hated the Professor, who smelt the rogue in him, and scourged him continually with his sharp tongue.

   1910, H. Rider Haggard, chapter 5, in Queen Sheba's Ring

   2 more examples

   Times grew worse and worse with Rip Van Winkle as years of matrimony rolled on; a tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

   1819, Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle

   Mr. Thomas rarely misses a chance to use his sharp tongue. Republicans are terrified of him; Democrats call him a bully.

   2003 July 28, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Washington Memo: Can a 'Wire Brush' Learn Civility?”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 May 2014