expression, adverb
in the same breath; hardly had the words been said
Used when someone contradicts themselves immediately after speaking, or when an action follows so quickly that the previous words are still 'wet' on the tongue. Often carries a critical or ironic tone.
See also: 舌の根も乾かぬうち (したのねもかわかぬうち)
彼は「絶対にやらない」と言った舌の根の乾かぬうちに、同じことを始めた。
He said he would never do it, and in the same breath started doing exactly that.
謝った舌の根の乾かぬうちに、また同じ失敗を繰り返した。
Hardly had he apologized when he repeated the same mistake.
Variant with も instead of の; essentially the same meaning and usage. The も version may slightly emphasize 'even before the tongue's root dries'.
A set phrase combining 舌の根 (root of the tongue), 乾かぬ (classical negative of 乾く, 'to dry'), and うち ('while, before'). The image is of words still wet on the tongue, i.e., immediately after speaking.