get a word in edgewise
Speak amid chatter
To get a word in edgewise is to manage to say something when someone else is dominating the conversation.
The phrase implies difficulty—you're squeezing words into narrow gaps: She talked so much I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Usually appears in negative constructions describing failed attempts to contribute to a one-sided exchange.
- cut inInterrupt or intrude suddenly
- interjectInsert remarks abruptly
- interruptBreak in upon
- speakProduce words aloud
- turn-takingAlternating speaker roles
wait your turn · steamrolled · overlap · dominated · chime in · one-sided conversation · discussion · drowned out · pipe up · long-winded · butt in · utter · get a word in · break into · pause · talk · verbose · assertiveness
conversational participation
get a word in edgewisehold the floor
Speak without yielding
drone on · hold forth · go on and on · talk someone's ear off · filibuster