cluck one's tongue

Sound of disappointment

To cluck one's tongue is to make a sharp clicking sound by pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth and releasing it.

The gesture typically expresses disapproval, sympathy, or mild reproach: She clucked her tongue at the mess the children had made.

It often accompanies head-shaking and serves as wordless commentary on someone's behavior or misfortune.

Related

head shake · surprise · grimace · disappointment · tsk-tsk · skepticism · knowing look · groan · chiding · wag a finger · shake one's head · facepalm · reproach · maternal · old wives · oh dear · nod · frustration

Opposites
approval vs. disapproval

cluck one's tongueapplaud

Clap to show praise

cheer · pat on the back · compliment · wolf whistle · gush

discouragement vs. encouragement

cluck one's tonguecheer on

Vocally encourage another

root for · egg on · urge on · rally · spur on

criticism vs. praise

cluck one's tonguepraise

Expression of approval

commend · compliment · laud · extol

Family

cluck, clucks, clucked, clucking, tongue, tongues, tongued, tonguing

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G