talk : Idioms & Phrases

Index

baby talk

  • noun an adult's imitation of the speech of a young child
    babytalk; motherese.
  • noun the developing speech of a young child
    babytalk.
WordNet

back talk

  • noun an impudent or insolent rejoinder
    sass; sassing; lip; mouth; backtalk.
    • don't give me any of your sass
WordNet

chalk talk

  • noun a talk that uses a blackboard and chalk
WordNet

double talk

  • noun deliberately unintelligible gibberish
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empty talk

  • noun loud and confused and empty talk
    rhetoric; palaver; empty words; hot air.
    • mere rhetoric
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idle talk

  • noun idle or foolish and irrelevant talk
    prattle; chin music; prate; blether.
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pep talk

  • noun a speech of exhortation attempting to instill enthusiasm and determination in a team or staff
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pillow talk

  • noun intimate conversation between lovers (typically occurring in bed)
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sales talk

  • noun promotion by means of an argument and demonstration
    sales pitch; pitch.
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shop talk

  • noun talk about your business that only others in the same business can understand
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sleep talking

  • noun uttering speech while asleep
    somniloquism; somniloquy.
WordNet

Small talk

  • noun light informal conversation for social occasions
    chin wag; chit-chat; chitchat; chin-wagging; causerie; chin-wag; gabfest; chin wagging; chit chat; tittle-tattle; gossip; gab.
WordNet
  • light or trifling conversation; chitchat.
Webster 1913

strategic arms limitation talks

  • noun negotiations between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics opened in 1969 in Helsinki designed to limit both countries' stock of nuclear weapons
    SALT.
WordNet

sweet talk

  • noun flattery designed to gain favor
    coaxing; blarney; soft soap.
WordNet

sweet-talk

  • verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    wheedle; coax; inveigle; cajole; blarney; palaver.
    • He palavered her into going along
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table talk

  • noun conversation during a meal
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talk about

  • verb to consider or examine in speech or writing
    discourse; discuss.
    • The author talks about the different aspects of this question
    • The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'
  • verb discuss or mention
    talk about.
    • They spoke of many things
WordNet

talk down

  • verb belittle through talk
  • verb speak in a condescending manner, as if to a child
    • He talks down to her
  • verb direct and control (the flight of an airplane during landing) via radio
    • the control tower talked down the plane whose pilot fell ill
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talk into

  • verb persuade somebody to do something
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talk of

  • verb discuss or mention
    talk about.
    • They spoke of many things
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talk of the town

  • noun idle gossip or rumor
    talk.
    • there has been talk about you lately
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talk out of

  • verb persuade someone not to do something
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talk over

  • verb speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion
    hash out; discuss.
    • We discussed our household budget
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talk shop

  • verb discuss matters that are related to work
    • As soon as they met, the linguists started to talk shop
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talk show

  • noun a program during which well-known people discuss a topic or answer questions telephoned in by the audience
    chat show.
    • in England they call a talk show a chat show
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talk terms

  • verb discuss the terms of an arrangement
    negociate; negotiate.
    • They negotiated the sale of the house
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talk through one's hat

  • verb speak insincerely or without regard for facts or truths
    fake; bull; bullshit.
    • The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
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talk turkey

  • verb discuss frankly, often in a business context
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talking book

  • noun sound recording of someone reading a book; frequently used by blind people
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talking head

  • noun a talker on television who talks directly into the cameras and whose upper body is all that is shown on the screen
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talking picture

  • noun a movie with synchronized speech and singing
    talkie.
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talking point

  • noun an especially persuasive point helping to support an argument or discussion
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talking to

  • noun a lengthy rebuke
    lecture; speech.
    • a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline
    • the teacher gave him a talking to
WordNet

To talk big

  • to talk loudly, arrogantly, or pretentiously.
Webster 1913

To talk of

  • to relate; to tell; to give an account of; as, authors talk of the wonderful remains of Palmyra. "The natural histories of Switzerland talk much of the fall of these rocks, and the great damage done." Addison.
Webster 1913

To talk over

  • . (a) To talk about; to have conference respecting; to deliberate upon; to discuss; as, to talk over a matter or plan. (b) To change the mind or opinion of by talking; to convince; as, to talk over an opponent.
Webster 1913

To talk shop

  • to make one's business the topic of social conversation; also, to use the phrases peculiar to one's employment. Colloq.
Webster 1913

To talk to

  • to advise or exhort, or to reprove gently; as, I will talk to my son respecting his conduct. Colloq.
Webster 1913

Town talk

  • the common talk of a place; the subject or topic of common conversation.
Webster 1913