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 right after a statement. Often carries a critical or ironic tone.
See also: 舌の根の乾かぬうち
彼は「絶対に遅刻しない」と言った舌の根も乾かぬうちに、また遅刻した。
He said 'I'll never be late again,' and in the same breath, he was late once more.
「もう二度としない」と謝った舌の根も乾かぬうちに、同じ過ちを繰り返した。
Hardly had he apologized and said 'I won't do it again' when he repeated the same mistake.
A variant with の instead of も; essentially the same meaning and usage, but も is more common.
Literally 'while the root of the tongue is not yet dry,' i.e., before the words have had time to dry. The expression is idiomatic and its exact origin is uncertain, but it vividly captures the immediacy of a contradiction or action following speech.