8/13/2019 50 Idioms About Talking

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50 Idioms About Talkingby Daniel Scocco

Last week, I offered a roster of synonyms for talk and talking . This list expands on thattheme by offering set phrases about talking and their meaning:1. Beat (ones) gums : to speak excessively and aimlessly2. Bull session : a rambling group conversation3. Chew the fat : to chat4. Chew the rag : to chat5. Diarrhea of the mouth : excessive talking6. Dish out : to deliver critical comments7. Flap (ones) lips : see beat (ones) gums 8. Gift of gab : a propensity for talking9. (One) likes hear (oneself) talk : said of someone who is egotistical10. Like talking to a brick wall : said of trying unsuccessfully to persuade or reasonwith someone11. Run off at the mouth : see beat (ones) gums 12. Shoot the breeze : to chat13. Shoot the bull : to chat14. Shoot the shit : to chat15. Spill the beans : to divulge information, or to confess (see confess)16. Speak out of turn : to say something inappropriate17. Speak the same language : to be in agreement18. Spit it out : to speak about something one is reluctant to discuss often used as animperative

19. Talk a blue streak : to talk quickly and excessively20. Talk a mile a minute : to speak rapidly21. Talk around : to avoid (a subject)22. Talk big : to brag23. Talk dirty : to try to stimulate someone sexually by speaking provocatively24. Talk (someone) down : to outdebate someone, guide someone through a difficultmaneuver (especially a pilot flying a plane), or to successfully bargain for a better price25. Talk down to : to speak condescendingly26. Talk (ones) ear off : to talk to someone excessively27. Talk (ones) head off : to talk excessively

28. Talk in circles : to speak in a confusing or indirect manner29. Talk in riddles : to speak obscurely or with hints30. Talk (one) into : to persuade someone31. Talk on : to continue to speak, or to speak on a certain topic32. Talk (oneself) out : to speak to the point of exhaustion33. Talk (one) out of : to dissuade someone34. Talk out of both sides of (ones) mouth : to speak inconsistently about somethingdepending on who one is talking to35. Talk (something) out : to talk about something to reach a consensus orunderstanding

36. Talk (something) over : see talk (something) out 37. Talk sense : to speak reasonably

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8/13/2019 50 Idioms About Talking

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38. Talk shop : to speak about work-related issues outside the work environment39. Talk some sense into : to talk to someone to persuade them to see reason40. Talk the talk : to speak as if one is an authority or adheres to certain beliefs orvalues41. Talk the talk and walk the walk : to act in accord with ones stated beliefs orvalues42. Talk through : to talk about something thoroughly to achieve a resolution43. Talk through ones hat : to speak insincerely, to talk nonsense, or to exaggerate44. Talk to hear (ones) own voice : to talk excessively, in an egotistical manner45. Talk tough : to speak in an intimidating manner, or to bluster46. Talk turkey : to speak frankly and/or with resolve47. T alk until (one) is blue in the face : to speak exhaustively, especially in anunsuccessful effort to persuade48. Talk (something) up : to promote something to draw attention to it49. Talk (ones) way out of : to say something so as to evade blame or avoidresponsibility50: You should talk : an admonition to avoid expressing oneself hypocritically