getting a word in edgeways
Managing to speak
Getting a word in edgeways means managing to say something during a conversation dominated by someone else.
The phrase implies difficulty—the other person talks so much that your words must slip in sideways, through a narrow gap: She talked nonstop; I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
British English favors edgeways; American English often uses edgewise.
- interjectingInserting remarks abruptly
- interruptingBreaking in mid-speech
- talking overSpeaking while another speaks
- contributingGiving to a cause
- breaking inForced entry or conditioning
butting in · turn-taking · waiting your turn · participating · chiming in · responding · timing · assertiveness · jumping in · speaking up · debating · long-winded · appropriateness · squeezing in · questioning · clarifying · active listening · politeness
getting a word in edgewaystalking someone's ear off
Boring someone with nonstop speech
holding forth · filibustering · monologuing · going on and on · speechifying