talk around
Skirt the subject
Talk around has two distinct meanings.
One is to discuss a topic without addressing it directly, circling the edges rather than confronting the core issue: They talked around the problem for an hour without proposing any solutions.
The other is to persuade someone through extended discussion: She eventually talked him around to her point of view.
- convinceCause to believe
- persuadeCause to believe
- coaxPersuade by gentle urging
- cajolePersuade through flattery
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
skirt the issue · indirection · deflection · avoidance · change the subject · hedging · debate · euphemism · discuss · argue · influence · politeness · understatement · social etiquette · negotiation · diplomacy · tact · conflict resolution
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- dismissingbrush aside, brush off, wave off, shrug off, blow off
talk aroundconfront
Face squarely, address directly
speak plainly · get to the point · cut to the chase · lay it on the line · tell it like it is
talk, around, talks, talked, talking, talker, talkers, talkative, talky