tip of the tongue phenomenon

The tip of the tongue (TOT) phenomenon occurs when you feel that you know a word or name but cannot immediately recall it. It’s like having the idea almost at your fingertips but just out of reach, often accompanied by a sense of frustration. This happens because your brain has stored the information, but retrieval is temporarily hindered—possibly due to interference or incomplete activation of memory pathways. TOT states are common and usually resolve quickly, highlighting the complex process of how our memory organizes and accesses language.