呂ろ律れつが回まわらない

expression, i-adjective

slurred speech; inarticulate; tongue-tied

Describes speech that is unclear, slurred, or difficult to understand, often due to drunkenness, fatigue, nervousness, or a speech impediment. The phrase literally means 'the articulation doesn't turn'.

• 酔よっ払ぱらって、ろれつが回まわらなくなった。

  He got drunk and his speech became slurred.

• 緊きん張ちょうして、ろれつが回まわらなかった。

  I was so nervous I couldn't speak clearly.