got a word in edgewise
Briefly spoke up
Got a word in edgewise means managed to say something during a conversation dominated by others.
The phrase almost always appears in negative constructions: She talked so much I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
The image is of words as physical objects, with barely enough space at the edge to squeeze one in sideways.
- overtalkingSpeaking too long
- talk someone's ear offSpeak exhaustingly at someone
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- speak upTalk louder or opine
- turn-takingAlternating speaker roles
wait your turn · get a word in · hold your tongue · bite your tongue · interruption · talk over · social anxiety · miscommunication · have the floor · active listening · monologue · one-sided conversation · misunderstandings · nonverbal cues · keep mum · dialogue · break the ice · steamroll
got a word in edgewiseheld forth
Spoke at length
talked someone's ear off · filibustered · bit one's tongue · speechified · lectured
getting, gotten, words, wording, worded, wordless, wordiness, edges, edging