口くちに掛かける

expression, ichidan verb

to say; to mention; to bring up

Used when someone brings up a topic, mentions something, or says something, often with a nuance of casually or deliberately putting it into words. Common in phrases like 口に掛けるのもおこがましい (it's presumptuous to even mention it).

• 彼かれはその話わ題だいを口くちに掛かけるのを避さけた。

  He avoided bringing up that topic.

• そんなことを口くちに掛かけるのも恥はずかしい。

  It's embarrassing to even say such a thing.