shoot the breeze
Talk about nothing
To shoot the breeze is to chat idly, making casual conversation without any particular purpose or agenda.
The phrase suggests relaxed talk among friends or acquaintances, often to pass time pleasantly: We sat on the porch shooting the breeze until dark.
I ran into my old neighbor and we shot the breeze for half an hour.
Polite trivial conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- chatterLight, rapid speech
- gabLight, meaningless talk
natter · prattle · jabber · yak · blabber · babble · tittle-tattle · chinwag
Goodwill among companions
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- companionshipState of having company
- hanging outCasual socializing
catching up · heart-to-heart · tête-à-tête · quality time · reminiscing · reconnecting · checking in · friendly exchange
Releasing coiled tension
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- killing timePassing moments idly
- loungingReclining in idleness
- idlingOperating without working
passing time · whiling away · laid-back · easygoing · unhurried · meandering · dawdling · lingering
small talk
Polite trivial conversation
gab · natter · prattle · jabber · yak · blabber · babble · tittle-tattle · chinwag · gabfest
camaraderie
Goodwill among companions
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- companionshipState of having company
hanging out · catching up · heart-to-heart · tête-à-tête · quality time · reminiscing · reconnecting · checking in · friendly exchange · visiting
unwinding
Releasing coiled tension
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- killing timePassing moments idly
- loungingReclining in idleness
passing time · idling · whiling away · laid-back · easygoing · unhurried · meandering · dawdling · lingering · coffee break
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- talkchat, chatter, chitchat, gab, jabber
- Weather Idiomsunder the weather, when it rains it pours, come rain or shine, rain check, take a rain check
- common sayingsproverbs, idioms, cliches, maxims, adages
- folk sayingsproverb, adage, maxim, folk saying, old saying
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
shoot the breezeget down to brass tacks
Begin addressing essential details
negotiate · deliberate · confer · debate · have it out
shoot the breezeget down to business
Begin focused work
cut to the chase · focus · talk shop · mean business · work
shoot the breezekeep quiet
Remain silent
say nothing · hold one's tongue · remain silent · keep mum · clam up
shot, shoot, shooting, shoots, shooter, shooting star, sharpshooter, shooting range, shootout