INDEX:
to talk to somebody
1. to talk to someone
2. to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject
3. to start a conversation
4. to talk to someone for a long time about unimportant things
5. a conversation
6. to talk about other people’s private lives
7. to talk too much about a particular thing
8. to talk for a long time in a confused or boring way
9. to talk to someone in a way that shows you are attracted to them
10. to talk to yourself
11. to talk to someone as if they were stupid
12. someone who talks a lot or too much
13. someone who does not talk much
14. to stop talking
15. what you say to someone to tell them to stop talking
16. to not talk about a particular subject
17. when people who have argued do not talk to each other
to make a speech
18. when someone makes a speech
19. someone who makes a speech
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ SAY
↑ SPEAK
↑ TELL
↑ DISCUSS
↑ MENTION
↑ CONTACT
↑ INTERRUPT
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1. to talk to someone
▷ talk /tɔːk/ [intransitive verb]
to say something to someone, or have a conversation :
▪ We sat around talking for hours.
▪ two friends talking on the phone
talk about
▪ They talked about their favourite pop stars.
talk to
▪ Danny was talking to a girl he’d just met at the bar.
▪ It’s been nice talking to you.
talk with somebody
American
▪ I left Mario talking with my mother.
▷ speak /spiːk/ [intransitive verb]
to talk to someone. Speak is more formal than talk :
▪ The brothers haven’t spoken since the funeral.
speak to
▪ There’s a man from the Times on the phone who wants to speak to you.
▪ I spoke to a few people at the party who knew him.
▷ say something /ˈseɪ sʌmθɪŋ/ [verb phrase]
▪ Did you say something? Sorry - I wasn’t listening.
▪ No one said anything.
▪ The older woman said something in Spanish.
say something about
▪ I can remember him saying something about his mother being ill.
say something to
▪ Pradeep could hear her saying something to the nurse.
▷ chat /tʃæt/ [intransitive verb] especially British
to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important :
▪ The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting.
chat about
▪ We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences.
chat with/to
▪ Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
▷ have a conversation /hæv ə ˌkɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁ-ˌkɑːn-/ [verb phrase]
to talk to someone for a period of time :
▪ Could we just sit down and have a normal conversation without shouting?
have a conversation about
▪ We were sitting around the kitchen table having a conversation about food and restaurants.
▷ be in conversation /biː ɪn ˌkɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁ-ˌkɑːn-/ [verb phrase]
to be having a conversation, especially one that takes all your attention :
be in conversation with
▪ When I arrived, Diana was already in animated conversation with Mr Summers.
be deep in conversation
so that you do not notice what is happening around you
▪ The two men were deep in conversation as they walked up the path.
▷ make conversation/make small talk /ˌmeɪk kɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁ-kɑːn-, meɪk ˈsmɔːl tɔːk/ [verb phrase]
to make an effort to have a conversation with someone, just in order to seem friendly or polite :
▪ I tried to make small talk, but Darden wasn’t interested.
▪ ‘Why did you tell her that?’ ‘I was just making conversation.’
make polite conversation
▪ Sheila was sitting next to the boss’s wife and felt obliged to make polite conversation.
▷ visit /ˈvɪzɪt, ˈvɪzət/ [intransitive verb] American informal
to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know well :
▪ Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.
visit with
▪ I don’t see him that often, but I like to go and visit with him when I can.
▷ converse /kənˈvɜːʳs/ [intransitive verb] formal
to have a conversation :
▪ We met once and conversed briefly. That was the extent of our acquaintance.
converse with
▪ The conference gave me an opportunity to meet and converse with VIPs in relaxed surroundings.
▷ chat/live chat /tʃæt, ˌlaɪv ˈtʃæt/ [uncountable noun]
when people talk to each other using the Internet by typing in what they want to say and having this sent immediately to someone using a computer in a different place :
▪ On-line chat is becoming an increasingly popular way for young people to make new friends.
▪ Log on to live chat this evening and put your questions to your favourite pop stars.
2. to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject
▷ talk /tɔːk/ [intransitive verb]
▪ I think we need to talk.
talk about
▪ If you’re having trouble at school, let’s sit down and talk about it.
talk to
▪ Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.
talk with
American
▪ It’s important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
▷ discuss /dɪˈskʌs/ [transitive verb]
if people discuss a subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so it is easier to make a decision or make plans :
▪ The whole family got together to discuss funeral arrangements.
▪ We never discuss our financial difficulties in front of the children.
discuss what/how/where etc
▪ We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.
discuss something with somebody
▪ Don’t make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
▷ speak to also speak with American /ˈspɪːk tuː, ˈspiːk wɪð/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to talk to someone about something serious or official :
▪ Maybe it’s time for you to speak to a lawyer.
▪ The woman had come all the way from Denver to speak with the President.
speak to about
▪ I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated.
▪ Have you spoken with Michael about the scheduling conflict?
▷ have a talk /ˌhæv ə ˈtɔːk/ [verb phrase]
to talk to someone seriously about something you have planned to discuss, especially about a problem or future plans :
▪ Don and I had a long talk, and I think we understand each other better now.
have a talk about
▪ I think it’s time we had a talk about your future here in the company.
have a talk with
▪ If this behavior continues, I’m going to have to have a little talk with her.
▪ Someone should have a serious talk with Lucy about the amount of alcohol she drinks.
▷ have a conversation /hæv ə ˌkɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁ-ˌkɑːn-/ [verb phrase]
to talk to someone for a period of time about a serious subject :
▪ The two leaders had a brief conversation yesterday.
have a conversation with
▪ I’ve had conversations with several employers who say there are not enough qualified people to fill the jobs they have.
have a conversation about
▪ We need to have a conversation with our lawyers about the will.
▷ talk over /ˌtɔːk ˈəʊvəʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better :
talk something over
▪ If you’re worried about your work, come and see me and we’ll talk it over.
talk over something
▪ I took him out to dinner so we could talk over the problem.
talk something over with somebody
▪ It’s often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
▷ have a word with /ˌhæv ə ˈwɜːʳd wɪð/ [verb phrase]
to talk to someone quickly, and usually privately, about something serious :
▪ His attitude got so bad his manager was forced to have a word with him.
▪ Jim had a word with Mary, and she took the children out of the room.
I’d like (to have) a word with you
▪ I’d like a word with you in private.
▷ have a heart-to-heart talk/a heart-to-heart /ˌhæv ə ˌhɑːʳt tə hɑːʳt ˈtɔːk, ə ˌhɑːʳt tə ˈhɑːʳt/ [verb phrase]
to have a private conversation in which two people both say honestly and sincerely what they feel about something personal :
▪ Don’t go in there right now - I think Dean and Carlo are having a heart-to-heart.
have a heart-to-heart talk/a heart-to-heart with
▪ If you think your boss doesn’t like you, have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
▷ talk shop /ˌtɔːk ˈʃɒpǁ-ˈʃɑːp/ [verb phrase]
if two or more people who do the same work talk shop, they have a conversation about their work on a social occasion :
▪ I don’t want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
▷ talk turkey /ˌtɔːk ˈtɜːʳki/ [verb phrase] American informal
to talk seriously and honestly about matters that need to be agreed, especially business matters :
▪ OK, enough joking around - let’s talk turkey.
3. to start a conversation
▷ get talking/chatting British /get to talking American /ˌget ˈtɔːkɪŋ, ˈtʃætɪŋ, ˌget tə ˈtɔːkɪŋ/ [verb phrase]
▪ The three of us sat down and after a while we got chatting.
get talking/chatting to
▪ I hadn’t been there long before someone got talking to me and invited me to a party.
get talking/chatting about
▪ Somehow we got to talking about television shows from the '70s.
▷ fall into conversation/strike up a conversation also get into conversation British /ˌfɔːl ɪntə kɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə n, ˌstraɪk ʌp ə ˌkɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə n, ˌget ɪntə kɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁˌkɑːn-/ [verb phrase]
to start having a conversation with a stranger, often without intending or expecting to :
▪ After a while the two travellers fell into conversation.
fall into conversation/strike up a conversation with
▪ She got into conversation with a woman at the baker’s shop.
▪ My Dad’s always striking up conversations with other people in the park.
4. to talk to someone for a long time about unimportant things
▷ gossip /ˈgɒsɪp, ˈgɒsəpǁˈgɑː-/ [intransitive verb]
to spend time talking to someone, especially someone you are friendly with, about things that are not particularly serious or important :
▪ Cocteau’s jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.
gossip with
▪ I wasn’t doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.
▷ chatter /ˈtʃætəʳ/ [intransitive verb]
to talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things - used especially in literature :
▪ The tiny gray-haired woman chattered continuously as she demonstrated how to make a tortilla.
chatter with
▪ They poured out of the school chattering with their friends.
chatter about
▪ Michele sat there chattering about her minor ailments to anyone who would listen.
chatter away/on
continuously
▪ I could hear the boys chattering away in the other room.
▷ natter /ˈnætəʳ/ [intransitive verb] British informal
if two people natter, they talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things :
natter with
▪ I can’t stand about nattering all day with you
natter about
▪ Keith and Tom were nattering about cars and not doing a stroke of work.
▷ pass the time of day /ˌpɑːs ðə taɪm əv ˈdeɪǁˌpæs-/ [verb phrase]
to have a short, friendly conversation about unimportant things with someone you know, especially when you meet them by chance :
▪ I just thought I’d stop by and pass the time of day.
pass the time of day with
▪ Whenever we met in the street, Mr. Kelly would stop and pass the time of day with me.
▷ shoot the breeze /ˌʃuːt ðə ˈbriːz/ [verb phrase] American informal
to have an informal conversation about unimportant things :
▪ The men spent their evenings on the porch, shooting the breeze.
shoot the breeze with
▪ Hemingway came into the bar almost every morning to read the papers, shoot the breeze with the regulars, and enjoy bracing double daiquiris.
5. a conversation
▷ conversation /ˌkɒnvəʳˈseɪʃ ə nǁˌkɑːn-/ [countable/uncountable noun]
when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation :
▪ Martha’s a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.
▪ The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.
▪ They didn’t realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.
conversation with
▪ I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.
have a conversation
▪ Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.
topic of conversation
▪ Baker’s resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.
come up in conversation
be mentioned as part of the conversation
▪ Every time his father’s name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.
▷ chat /tʃæt/ [countable noun] especially British
an informal, friendly conversation :
▪ He didn’t want anything in particular. He just stopped for a chat.
▪ Mary took Tina in the other room for a private chat.
have a chat
▪ I’m actually glad you’re late - it gave Ken and me a chance to have a good chat.
▷ small talk /ˈsmɔːl tɔːk/ [uncountable noun]
the kind of conversation in which people talk about unimportant things in order to be polite or to avoid serious subjects :
▪ Most of what gets said at parties is just small talk.
make small talk
▪ Heath doesn’t waste time making small talk - he comes straight to the point.
6. to talk about other people’s private lives
▷ gossip /ˈgɒsɪp, ˈgɒsəpǁˈgɑː-/ [intransitive verb]
to spend time talking without a serious purpose, usually about other people’s private lives or behaviour :
▪ It’s best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.
gossip about
▪ Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.
gossip [uncountable noun]
▪ The public never seems to tire of Hollywood gossip.
▪ I heard an interesting piece of gossip about Beth Ann.
▷ talk /tɔːk/ [intransitive verb]
if you say that people talk, you mean that they talk about other people’s private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way :
▪ We mustn’t be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.
▷ talk about somebody behind their back /ˌtɔːk əbaʊt (sb) bɪˌhaɪnd ðeəʳ ˈbæk/ [verb phrase]
to talk about someone when they are not present :
▪ I hate people who talk about you behind your back and then pretend to be nice to you when they meet you.
▷ tongues are wagging /ˌtʌŋz əʳ ˈwægɪŋ/
used for saying that many people are talking about someone’s private life in an unkind or disapproving way :
▪ Tongues are wagging about Hollywood’s newest couple.
set tongues wagging
cause people to start talking about you
▪ Thurmond’s marriage so soon after his wife died set tongues wagging.
7. to talk too much about a particular thing
▷ go on also keep on British /ˌgəʊ ˈɒn, ˌkiːp ˈɒn/ [intransitive phrasal verb] especially spoken
to keep talking or complaining about something, in a way that is annoying or boring :
go on about
▪ I wish you’d stop going on about how expensive everything is.
▪ Lucy keeps on about little things that happened in the past until I want to scream.
go on and on
keep talking for a long time
▪ He went on and on until we were all practically asleep.
▷ harp on /ˈhɑːʳp ɒn/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to keep mentioning something in a way that other people find annoying :
▪ Stop harping on the weather - we can’t change it.
harp on about
▪ If you harp on about their bad habits too long, the kids will just stop listening.
▷ labour/belabour the point British /belabor the point American /ˌleɪbəʳ, bɪˌleɪbəʳ ðə ˈpɔɪnt/ [verb phrase]
to express the same idea again and again with the intention of making it clear, but with the result that people get bored :
▪ Everyone agrees with what you said - there’s no need to belabor the point.
▪ If the students aren’t listening it may be because the teacher is labouring the point too much.
▷ hold forth /ˌhəʊld ˈfɔːʳθ/ [verb phrase]
to talk to a group of people you are with, giving your opinions or telling a story in a way that does not let other people have a chance to talk - use this when you think the situation is slightly humorous :
▪ Grandma was holding forth as usual, retelling all the old family stories.
hold forth about/on
▪ Tom was in the corner, holding forth about the economic situation.
▪ After a few drinks, he would hold forth for hours on government conspiracy theories.
8. to talk for a long time in a confused or boring way
▷ ramble /ˈræmb ə l/ [intransitive verb]
to talk for too long in a confused way, changing the subject and forgetting what you have already said :
▪ The trouble is once Dad gets started on a subject, he tends to ramble.
ramble on
▪ Ida rambled on, but Anna wasn’t listening to her.
ramble about
▪ He was a little drunk and kept rambling on about the good old days.
▷ babble /ˈbæb ə l/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to talk quickly and in a confused way so that you seem slightly silly, especially because you are nervous :
▪ Don’t pay any attention to her - she’s just babbling.
babble on
▪ He babbled on and on until everyone had left the room.
babble about
▪ He was running around babbling about someone named Tulkeke.
▷ waffle /ˈwɒf ə lǁˈwɑː-/ [intransitive verb] British
to talk for a long time without making your meaning clear and without really saying anything useful or important :
▪ He didn’t know what he was talking about - he was just waffling.
▪ Interviewers dislike candidates who just sit there and waffle instead of answering the questions.
waffle [uncountable noun]
▪ There was a lot of polite waffle about how well the Princess and her family were looking before anyone got to the point.
▷ witter on/rabbit on /ˌwɪtər ˈɒn, ˌræbə̇t ˈɒn/ [intransitive phrasal verb] British informal
to talk for a long time about something in a stupid and boring way :
▪ It doesn’t matter what she’s talking about - she’ll witter on for hours.
▪ George just rabbited on, boring everyone to death with his silly nonsense.
▷ windbag/gasbag /ˈwɪndbæg, ˈgæsbæg/ [countable noun usually singular] informal
someone who talks too much, especially in a very boring way :
▪ What a gasbag that Mrs Jenkins is! I’ve been stuck with her for over an hour.
▪ There’s a bunch of old windbags on the town council who don’t know when to shut up.
▷ long-winded /ˌlɒŋ ˈwɪndə̇d◂ǁˌlɔːŋ-/ [adjective]
someone who is long-winded takes a long time to say something that they could say in a shorter time, which makes other people bored and impatient :
▪ One long-winded speaker after another came to the podium.
▪ Dad can be so long-winded sometimes, I cringe when he starts talking to someone new.
9. to talk to someone in a way that shows you are attracted to them
▷ flirt /flɜːʳt/ [intransitive verb]
to talk to and behave towards someone as though you are sexually attracted to them, so that they will pay attention to you :
▪ She was flirting and trying to get the waiter’s attention.
flirt with
▪ It embarrasses me when you flirt with other women in front of me.
▪ No one had flirted with me in years, and I didn’t really know how to respond.
▷ chat up /ˌtʃæt ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb] British
to talk to someone in a way that shows you are sexually attracted to them, in order to try and make them interested in you :
chat somebody up
▪ I’m not in the mood to go to bars and wait for sad men to try to chat me up.
chat up somebody
▪ When I left the party Kelly was still chatting up that tall guy in the kitchen.
10. to talk to yourself
▷ talk to yourself /ˌtɔːk tə jɔːʳˈself/ [verb phrase]
▪ I think he’s going crazy - he talks to himself all the time.
▪ Betty was talking to herself under her breath as she worked.
▷ think aloud/think out loud /ˌθɪŋk əˈlaʊd, ˌθɪŋk aʊt ˈlaʊd/ [verb phrase]
to say aloud what you are thinking, without meaning to talk to anyone else :
▪ ‘I don’t follow you.’ ‘That’s OK. I’m just thinking out loud.’
▪ She began to think aloud as she always did when she was faced with a difficult problem.
11. to talk to someone as if they were stupid
▷ patronize also patronise British /ˈpætrənaɪzǁˈpeɪ-, ˈpæ-/ [transitive verb]
▪ Kids don’t like to be patronized any more than adults do.
▪ Just because you’re older than me, it doesn’t give you the right to patronize me.
patronizing [adjective]
▪ a patronizing tone of voice
▪ Don’t be so patronizing with me.
▷ talk down to /ˌtɔːk ˈdaʊn tuː/ [transitive phrasal verb]
▪ I always get the feeling that repairmen are talking down to me, as if I don’t know anything.
▪ Krasny never talks down to his audience, assuming they can keep up with complex legal arguments.
12. someone who talks a lot or too much
▷ talkative /ˈtɔːkətɪv/ [adjective]
someone who is talkative talks a lot :
▪ The wine was making her more relaxed and talkative.
▪ Somehow I always end up alone in a room with my talkative aunt.
▷ chatty /ˈtʃæti/ [adjective]
liking to talk a lot in a friendly way :
▪ Nobles is a chatty, energetic 55-year-old.
▪ The nurses at the hospital were pleasant and chatty, and they made me feel less nervous.
▷ chatterbox /ˈtʃætəʳbɒksǁ-bɑːks/ [countable noun] informal
someone, especially a child, who talks a lot in a friendly way :
▪ Cathy’s a real chatterbox - she’s very friendly, but all that talking can wear you out.
▷ can talk the hind leg off a donkey British /talks a blue streak American /kən ˌtɔːk ðə ˌhaɪnd leg ɒf ə ˈdɒŋkiǁ-ˈdɑːŋki, tɔːks ə ˌbluː ˈstriːk/ [verb phrase] informal
to talk a lot without stopping :
▪ Once old Mulrooney got started there was no stopping him - that man could talk the hind leg off a donkey.
▪ Annie had had too much to drink and was talking a blue streak.
▷ gossip /ˈgɒsɪp, ˈgɒsəpǁˈgɑː-/ [countable noun]
someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives and behaviour :
▪ Don’t tell him anything private - he’s a terrible gossip.
▪ The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.
13. someone who does not talk much
▷ quiet /ˈkwaɪət/ [adjective]
someone who is quiet does not talk much. Quiet can be used generally about someone’s character, or about a particular situation in which someone does not talk :
▪ The new girl’s quiet, but nice enough.
▪ Steven’s a very quiet boy who loves reading.
▪ Tyrell was quiet early in the evening, but as he got to know us, he really opened up.
▷ silent /ˈsaɪlənt/ [adjective] written
if someone is silent, they do not say anything. Silent is used before the noun if you are talking about someone’s general character, and after the verb if you are talking about a particular situation :
▪ Mrs. Welland was a mild silent woman with no strong opinions.
be/remain/stay silent
▪ Alice was laughing and joking, but her sister remained silent.
▷ taciturn /ˈtæsɪtɜːʳn, ˈtæsətɜːʳn/ [adjective] formal
someone who is taciturn usually does not talk much, so that they may seem a little unfriendly or bad-tempered :
▪ The ship’s captain was a taciturn man who spoke only to give orders.
▪ It was unlike her to be so taciturn - she must have had something on her mind.
▷ a man/woman of few words /ə ˌmæn, ˌwʊmən əv ˌfjuː ˈwɜːʳdz/ [noun phrase]
someone who usually does not talk much, because they only speak when there is something important to say :
▪ My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.
▪ Neighbors remember her as a woman of few words whom everyone respected.
▷ reticent /ˈretɪs ə nt, ˈretəs ə nt/ [adjective]
unwilling to talk to other people or unwilling to talk about a particular subject :
▪ Irma was a shy and reticent child.
reticent about
▪ Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.
reticence [uncountable noun]
▪ His reticence with strangers was sometimes interpreted as unfriendliness.
14. to stop talking
▷ go quiet /gəʊ ˈkwaɪət/ [verb phrase]
▪ She was happy to talk about her school and friends, but when I asked her about her parents, she went quiet.
▪ Gerard suddenly realized that the people at the next table had gone quiet and were staring at them.
▷ break off /ˌbreɪk ˈɒf/ [intransitive/transitive phrasal verb]
to suddenly stop talking without finishing what you were saying :
▪ ‘It’s not that I wanted to...’ he broke off and sighed.
▪ Kathleen was just telling me about her new car when she suddenly broke off and ran to the window.
break off something
▪ I was sorry to break off his conversation with Margaret, but I had to leave.
▷ fall silent /ˌfɔːl ˈsaɪlənt/ [verb phrase] written
to suddenly stop talking, especially because something has happened to make you feel afraid, sad etc :
▪ ‘Explain yourself,’ Mr O'Conner demanded. Paul fell silent, staring hard at the floor.
▪ Everyone in the room fell silent, and Miss Rogers dozed peacefully her chair.
15. what you say to someone to tell them to stop talking
▷ be quiet /biː ˈkwaɪət/ spoken
say this when you want someone to stop talking :
▪ Please be quiet for a moment.
▪ Be quiet - I’m on the phone.
▪ Just be quiet and let me finish the story.
▷ quiet down /ˌkwaɪət ˈdaʊn/ spoken
say this when you want a group of people, especially a group you are in charge of, to stop talking :
▪ All right, everybody, quiet down - we’re about to stop.
▪ Quiet down! I can’t hear the TV.
▷ silence /ˈsaɪləns/ formal spoken
used in formal situations, especially by someone in authority to tell people to be completely quiet :
▪ Silence in court!
▪ Silence! Will you please let the honourable Member finish what he is saying.
▷ shut up /ˌʃʌt ˈʌp/ spoken
say this to rudely tell someone to stop talking :
▪ Just shut up and listen to me.
▪ Hey, shut up down there! We’re trying to sleep.
▪ No one wants to listen to you - why don’t you shut up and sit down.
16. to not talk about a particular subject
▷ not talk about /nɒt ˈtɔːk əbaʊt/ [verb phrase]
▪ It’s been three months, but he won’t talk about the accident.
▪ She doesn’t talk about her husband half as much as she did when he first died.
▪ I don’t know what my parents think about my living here - we never talk about it.
▷ not say anything about /nɒt seɪ ˈeniθɪŋ əˌbaʊt/ [verb phrase]
to not talk about something, because it could be embarrassing or difficult, or just because you did not think about talking about it :
▪ Didn’t she say anything about the party?
▪ Don’t say anything about the divorce - it will only upset her.
▪ The company’s policy is not to say anything about former employees other than to give their period of employment.
▷ not mention /nɒt ˈmenʃ ə n/ [transitive verb]
to not talk about something, even for a short time or carelessly :
▪ We were careful not to mention her son’s legal problems.
▪ He doesn’t mention Cathy anymore when he writes - I wonder if they broke up?
not mention (that)
▪ I didn’t mention that we were going to the movies in front of John.
▷ keep off the subject/question of something /ˌkiːp ˈɒf, ðə ˈsʌbʒɪkt, ˈkwestʃən əv something/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult :
▪ I normally keep off the subject of ex-girlfriends on a first date.
▪ Unless the interviewer asks you directly, keep off the question of why you left your last job.
▷ drop the subject/drop it /ˌdrɒp ðə ˈsʌbdʒɪkt, ˈdrɒp ɪtǁˌdrɑːp-/ [verb phrase]
to deliberately stop talking about a particular subject, especially because it is embarrassing, upsetting, or annoying someone :
▪ ‘You’ll never get me to believe that!’ she screeched, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.
▪ Can we just drop the subject? I’m sick of hearing about it.
▪ Look, just drop it, OK? I understood you the first time.
▷ steer clear of /ˌstɪəʳ ˈklɪər ɒv/ [verb phrase]
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult :
▪ We try to steer clear of controversial issues in the workshops.
▪ Her press agent asked the interviewer to steer clear of questions about her love life.
▷ keep silent/quiet about /ˌkiːp ˈsaɪlənt, ˈkwaɪət əbaʊt/ [verb phrase]
to not talk about an event or situation from the past for a long time, especially because it is very difficult to talk about :
▪ He had kept silent about the murder for ten years before he went to the police.
▪ They said they’d kill her if she didn’t keep quiet about what she’d seen.
▷ gloss over /ˌglɒs ˈəʊvəʳǁˌglɔːs/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if you gloss over unpleasant facts, you deliberately avoid talking about them or you only mention them quickly and without giving much detail :
▪ It seems to me he was glossing over some major risks of the plan.
▪ In a job interview you should highlight your strengths and gloss over your weaknesses.
17. when people who have argued do not talk to each other
▷ not be talking/speaking /nɒt biː ˈtɔːkɪŋ, ˈspiːkɪŋ/ [verb phrase]
▪ ‘Have you seen Tim lately?’ ‘No, we’re not talking at the moment.’
▪ When Claire and Andy aren’t speaking, she usually calls me up to complain.
▷ not be on speaking terms /nɒt biː ɒn ˈspiːkɪŋ ˌtɜːʳmz/ [verb phrase]
if two people are not on speaking terms, their relationship has become so unfriendly that they refuse to talk to each other :
▪ She wasn’t on speaking terms with Rachel for several weeks afterwards.
▪ By the end of the year, the two old friends were no longer on speaking terms.
▷ send somebody to Coventry /ˌsend somebody tə ˈkɒvəntriǁ-ˈkɑːv-/ [verb phrase] British
if a group of people send someone to Coventry, they refuse to talk to that person as a way of punishing them for something :
▪ I don’t know why they won’t talk to me. I didn’t know I’d been sent to Coventry.
▪ When he refused to join the strike, Joe’s mates sent him to Coventry for three weeks.
▷ the silent treatment /ðə ˈsaɪlənt ˌtriːtmənt/ [verb phrase]
when one person does not talk to another person, usually to show that they are angry :
▪ My sister tried the silent treatment on me, but I just ignored her.
give somebody the silent treatment
▪ On the ride home, Vance’s father gave him the silent treatment.
18. when someone makes a speech
▷ speech /spiːtʃ/ [countable noun]
a formal situation, for example at a meeting or ceremony, in which you talk to a group of people about a particular subject, usually when you have planned and practised what you are going to say :
▪ She left early to write her speech for the next day.
▪ In her speech, Bauer proposed major changes in the welfare system.
speech about/on
▪ The senator’s speech on farm subsidies did not attract a large audience.
make/give a speech
▪ To start with, the governor made a short speech welcoming the visiting dignitaries.
▷ talk /tɔːk/ [countable noun]
a planned, but not very formal speech about a particular subject, for example at a meeting or on the radio :
▪ There’s an interesting series of talks by well-known writers on the radio this week.
talk on/about
▪ You should have heard Dr Cooper’s talk on his trip to India - it was fascinating.
give a talk
▪ A researcher from our division gave a talk today about recent advances in cancer treatment.
give a talk to somebody
▪ Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.
▷ speak /spiːk/ [intransitive verb]
to make a formal speech :
▪ I’ve been invited to speak at the party’s annual convention.
▪ Who are they getting to speak at this year’s graduation ceremony?
speak to
▪ Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for cooperation in dealing with the sagging economy.
speak on/about
▪ At the convention Ford spoke on immigration and social issues.
▷ talk /tɔːk/ [intransitive verb]
to speak publicly to a group of people about a particular subject :
talk about
▪ This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare’s historical plays.
talk to
▪ Powell talked to a group of industry leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday.
▷ address /əˈdres/ [transitive verb] formal
to make a speech to a large group of people :
address a group/meeting/crowd/conference etc
▪ Rifkind addressed a news conference before leaving for Beijing yesterday.
▪ Three Republican candidates addressed a group of 500 senior citizens concerning tax cuts.
▷ public speaking /ˌpʌblɪk ˈspiːkɪŋ/ [uncountable noun]
the activity or art of making speeches in public :
▪ The course I took in public speaking has really improved my self-confidence.
▪ Executives in big companies need to have excellent public speaking skills.
▷ presentation /ˌprəʒ ə nˈteɪʃ ə nǁˌprɪːzen-, -z ə n-/ [countable noun]
to give a talk for your company about something such as a new product or business idea :
▪ The presentation went extremely well, with almost all of the audience requesting further information about our proposals.
give a presentation
▪ I was supposed to be giving a presentation that morning to some colleagues from the Japanese division.
19. someone who makes a speech
▷ speaker /ˈspiːkəʳ/ [countable noun]
someone who makes a speech in public :
▪ Doug Williams is the first speaker in tonight’s debate.
▪ Everyone tells me I’m a good speaker, but I really hate doing it.
public speaker
▪ Kennedy was known as a brilliant public speaker.
guest speaker
someone who has been invited to come and give a speech or talk
▪ Each week the school has a different guest speaker come and talk to the students.
keynote speaker
someone who gives the most important speech at a big meeting
▪ Jennings was one of the keynote speakers at the conference’s opening session Thursday.
▷ orator /ˈɒrətəʳǁˈɔː-, ˈɑː-/ [countable noun]
someone who makes great public speeches and is good at persuading people to accept particular ideas, opinions, or principles :
▪ Ogilvy had a reputation as a great orator.
▪ Keyes is a fiery orator who built his campaign around his anti-abortion stand.