get a word in edgeways
/ˌɡet ə ˌwɜːd ɪn ˈedʒweɪz/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to manage to speak while someone else keeps talking
Examples
- 1Dad talked about his fishing trip all evening; nobody could get a word in edgeways.
- 2I tried to explain, but Mum was so upset that I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
- 3Marco talked for the whole meeting, so the rest of us couldn't get a word in edgeways.
- 4Once my aunt starts on her favourite subject, you can hardly get a word in edgeways.
- 5Did you get a word in edgeways, or did Priya do all the talking again?
Grammar
Mostly used with can't, couldn't or hardly. Only get changes: got. edgewise is the American form.
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →fall on deaf earsto be ignored by the people who are told itkeep someone postedto tell someone the latest news as things changea slip of the tonguea small mistake when you say a different word by accidentlost for wordsso surprised or moved that you cannot speakclear the airto talk openly to end bad feelings between peoplespeak volumesto show something very clearly without words
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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