talk1 verbtalk2 noun
talktalk1 /tɔːk $ tɒːk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 
WORD ORIGINtalk1
Origin:
1200-1300 Probably from Old English talian ‘to count, consider, tell’VERB TABLE
talk
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | talk |
| he, she, it | talks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | talked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have talked |
| he, she, it | has talked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had talked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will talk |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have talked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am talking |
| he, she, it | is talking | |
| you, we, they | are talking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was talking |
| you, we, they | were talking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been talking |
| he, she, it | has been talking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been talking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be talking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been talking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar.
- Even after three days of interrogation, Maskell refused to talk.
- Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.
- He said he'd come back and kill me if I talked.
- I left Mario talking with my mother.
- I think we need to talk.
- If you're having trouble at school, let's sit down and talk about it.
- If you have a problem at school, sit down and talk about it with your parents.
- If you need more money you should talk with Richard.
- In high school, we often got in trouble for talking in class.
- Is this one of those birds that can talk?
- It's been nice talking to you.
- It's important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
- Jerrod's only one year old and he's already starting to talk.
- Please don't all talk at the same time.
- Powell talked to a group of industry leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday.
- The suspect was questioned for two hours, but refused to talk.
- They talked about their favourite pop stars.
- This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare's historical plays.
- two friends talking on the phone
- He walked along talking to himself.
- It's as if I was talking to somebody.
- Today they talk of doing so but they have yet to act.
- Usually the people who want to talk to you are the people who have contributed to you.
- Violence is avoided and talked down whenever possible.
THESAURUS
to use words to communicate with someone about something: · I need to talk to you about your work.· She always enjoyed talking to Jim.· Can we talk?
to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language: · He spoke with confidence and authority.· She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone.· I’d like to speak to the manager.· Do you speak German?
to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored: · He went on about how great the team was.· I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.
British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important: · I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point!
disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things: · She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey.· What’s he prattling on about now?
to talk about everyday things to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: · She was having a conversation with one of her friends.· When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation).· I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: · The girls were chatting outside the house.· It’s been nice having a chat with you.
to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: · What are you two gossiping about?
American English informal to have a conversation with someone: · I visited with him last week.
formal to have a conversation with someone: · We met once and conversed briefly.
to talk seriously to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans: · They met to discuss how the building should be designed.· She refuses to discuss the matter.
to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you: · Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.· You two need to sit down and talk things over.
to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem: · The issue will be debated on Tuesday.· The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.
Longman Language Activatorto talk to someone to say something to someone, or have a conversation: · We sat around talking for hours.· two friends talking on the phonetalk about: · They talked about their favourite pop stars.talk to: · Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar.· It's been nice talking to you.talk with somebody American: · I left Mario talking with my mother.
to talk to someone. Speak is more formal than talk: · The brothers haven't spoken since the funeral.speak to: · There's a man from the Times on the phone who wants to speak to you.· I spoke to a few people at the party who knew him.
· Did you say something? Sorry - I wasn't listening.· No one said anything.· The older woman said something in Spanish.say something about · I can remember him saying something about his mother being ill.say something to · Pradeep could hear her saying something to the nurse.
especially British to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important: · The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting.chat about: · We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences.chat with/to: · Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
to talk to someone for a period of time: · Could we just sit down and have a normal conversation without shouting?have a conversation about: · We were sitting around the kitchen table having a conversation about food and restaurants.
to be having a conversation, especially one that takes all your attention: be in conversation with: · When I arrived, Diana was already in animated conversation with Mr Summers.be deep in conversation (=so that you do not notice what is happening around you): · The two men were deep in conversation as they walked up the path.
to make an effort to have a conversation with someone, just in order to seem friendly or polite: · I tried to make small talk, but Darden wasn't interested.· "Why did you tell her that?" "I was just making conversation."make polite conversation: · Sheila was sitting next to the boss's wife and felt obliged to make polite conversation.
American informal to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know well: · Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.visit with: · I don't see him that often, but I like to go and visit with him when I can.
formal to have a conversation: · We met once and conversed briefly. That was the extent of our acquaintance.converse with: · The conference gave me an opportunity to meet and converse with VIPs in relaxed surroundings.
when people talk to each other using the Internet by typing in what they want to say and having this sent immediately to someone using a computer in a different place: · On-line chat is becoming an increasingly popular way for young people to make new friends.· Log on to live chat this evening and put your questions to your favourite pop stars.
to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject · I think we need to talk.talk about · If you're having trouble at school, let's sit down and talk about it.talk to · Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.talk with American · It's important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
if people discuss a subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so it is easier to make a decision or make plans: · The whole family got together to discuss funeral arrangements.· We never discuss our financial difficulties in front of the children.discuss what/how/where etc: · We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.discuss something with somebody: · Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
also speak with American to talk to someone about something serious or official: · Maybe it's time for you to speak to a lawyer.· The woman had come all the way from Denver to speak with the President.speak to about: · I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated.· Have you spoken with Michael about the scheduling conflict?
to talk to someone seriously about something you have planned to discuss, especially about a problem or future plans: · Don and I had a long talk, and I think we understand each other better now.have a talk about: · I think it's time we had a talk about your future here in the company.have a talk with: · If this behavior continues, I'm going to have to have a little talk with her.· Someone should have a serious talk with Lucy about the amount of alcohol she drinks.
to talk to someone for a period of time about a serious subject: · The two leaders had a brief conversation yesterday.have a conversation with: · I've had conversations with several employers who say there are not enough qualified people to fill the jobs they have.have a conversation about: · We need to have a conversation with our lawyers about the will.
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better: talk something over: · If you're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over.talk over something: · I took him out to dinner so we could talk over the problem.talk something over with somebody: · It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
to talk to someone quickly, and usually privately, about something serious: · His attitude got so bad his manager was forced to have a word with him.· Jim had a word with Mary, and she took the children out of the room.I'd like (to have) a word with you: · I'd like a word with you in private.
to have a private conversation in which two people both say honestly and sincerely what they feel about something personal: · Don't go in there right now - I think Dean and Carlo are having a heart-to-heart.have a heart-to-heart talk/a heart-to-heart with: · If you think your boss doesn't like you, have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
if two or more people who do the same work talk shop , they have a conversation about their work on a social occasion: · I don't want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
American informal to talk seriously and honestly about matters that need to be agreed, especially business matters: · OK, enough joking around - let's talk turkey.
to start a conversation British /get to talking American · The three of us sat down and after a while we got chatting.get talking/chatting to · I hadn't been there long before someone got talking to me and invited me to a party.get talking/chatting about · Somehow we got to talking about television shows from the '70s.
also get into conversation British to start having a conversation with a stranger, often without intending or expecting to: · After a while the two travellers fell into conversation.fall into conversation/strike up a conversation with: · She got into conversation with a woman at the baker's shop.· My Dad's always striking up conversations with other people in the park.
to talk to someone for a long time about unimportant things to spend time talking to someone, especially someone you are friendly with, about things that are not particularly serious or important: · Cocteau's jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.gossip with: · I wasn't doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.
to talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things - used especially in literature: · The tiny gray-haired woman chattered continuously as she demonstrated how to make a tortilla.chatter with: · They poured out of the school chattering with their friends.chatter about: · Michele sat there chattering about her minor ailments to anyone who would listen.chatter away/on (=continuously): · I could hear the boys chattering away in the other room.
British informal if two people natter , they talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things: natter with: · I can't stand about nattering all day with you natter about: · Keith and Tom were nattering about cars and not doing a stroke of work.
to have a short, friendly conversation about unimportant things with someone you know, especially when you meet them by chance: · I just thought I'd stop by and pass the time of day.pass the time of day with: · Whenever we met in the street, Mr. Kelly would stop and pass the time of day with me.
American informal to have an informal conversation about unimportant things: · The men spent their evenings on the porch, shooting the breeze.shoot the breeze with: · Hemingway came into the bar almost every morning to read the papers, shoot the breeze with the regulars, and enjoy bracing double daiquiris.
a conversation when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation: · Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.· The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.· They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.conversation with: · I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.have a conversation: · Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.topic of conversation: · Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.come up in conversation (=be mentioned as part of the conversation): · Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.
especially British an informal, friendly conversation: · He didn't want anything in particular. He just stopped for a chat.· Mary took Tina in the other room for a private chat.have a chat: · I'm actually glad you're late - it gave Ken and me a chance to have a good chat.
the kind of conversation in which people talk about unimportant things in order to be polite or to avoid serious subjects: · Most of what gets said at parties is just small talk.make small talk: · Heath doesn't waste time making small talk - he comes straight to the point.
to talk about other people's private lives to spend time talking without a serious purpose, usually about other people's private lives or behaviour: · It's best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.gossip about: · Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.
if you say that people talk , you mean that they talk about other people's private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way: · We mustn't be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.
to talk about someone when they are not present: · I hate people who talk about you behind your back and then pretend to be nice to you when they meet you.
used for saying that many people are talking about someone's private life in an unkind or disapproving way: · Tongues are wagging about Hollywood's newest couple.set tongues wagging (=cause people to start talking about you): · Thurmond's marriage so soon after his wife died set tongues wagging.
to talk too much about a particular thing also keep on British especially spoken to keep talking or complaining about something, in a way that is annoying or boring: go on about: · I wish you'd stop going on about how expensive everything is.· Lucy keeps on about little things that happened in the past until I want to scream.go on and on (=keep talking for a long time): · He went on and on until we were all practically asleep.
to keep mentioning something in a way that other people find annoying: · Stop harping on the weather - we can't change it.harp on about: · If you harp on about their bad habits too long, the kids will just stop listening.
British /belabor the point American to express the same idea again and again with the intention of making it clear, but with the result that people get bored: · Everyone agrees with what you said - there's no need to belabor the point.· If the students aren't listening it may be because the teacher is labouring the point too much.
to talk to a group of people you are with, giving your opinions or telling a story in a way that does not let other people have a chance to talk - use this when you think the situation is slightly humorous: · Grandma was holding forth as usual, retelling all the old family stories.hold forth about/on: · Tom was in the corner, holding forth about the economic situation.· After a few drinks, he would hold forth for hours on government conspiracy theories.
to talk for a long time in a confused or boring way to talk for too long in a confused way, changing the subject and forgetting what you have already said: · The trouble is once Dad gets started on a subject, he tends to ramble.ramble on: · Ida rambled on, but Anna wasn't listening to her.ramble about: · He was a little drunk and kept rambling on about the good old days.
to talk quickly and in a confused way so that you seem slightly silly, especially because you are nervous: · Don't pay any attention to her - she's just babbling.babble on: · He babbled on and on until everyone had left the room.babble about: · He was running around babbling about someone named Tulkeke.
British to talk for a long time without making your meaning clear and without really saying anything useful or important: · He didn't know what he was talking about - he was just waffling.· Interviewers dislike candidates who just sit there and waffle instead of answering the questions.
British informal to talk for a long time about something in a stupid and boring way: · It doesn't matter what she's talking about - she'll witter on for hours.· George just rabbited on, boring everyone to death with his silly nonsense.
informal someone who talks too much, especially in a very boring way: · What a gasbag that Mrs Jenkins is! I've been stuck with her for over an hour.· There's a bunch of old windbags on the town council who don't know when to shut up.
someone who is long-winded takes a long time to say something that they could say in a shorter time, which makes other people bored and impatient: · One long-winded speaker after another came to the podium.· Dad can be so long-winded sometimes, I cringe when he starts talking to someone new.
to talk to someone in a way that shows you are attracted to them to talk to and behave towards someone as though you are sexually attracted to them, so that they will pay attention to you: · She was flirting and trying to get the waiter's attention.flirt with: · It embarrasses me when you flirt with other women in front of me.· No one had flirted with me in years, and I didn't really know how to respond.
British to talk to someone in a way that shows you are sexually attracted to them, in order to try and make them interested in you: chat somebody up: · I'm not in the mood to go to bars and wait for sad men to try to chat me up.chat up somebody: · When I left the party Kelly was still chatting up that tall guy in the kitchen.
to talk to yourself · I think he's going crazy - he talks to himself all the time.· Betty was talking to herself under her breath as she worked.
to say aloud what you are thinking, without meaning to talk to anyone else: · "I don't follow you." "That's OK. I'm just thinking out loud."· She began to think aloud as she always did when she was faced with a difficult problem.
to talk to someone as if they were stupid also patronise British · Kids don't like to be patronized any more than adults do.· Just because you're older than me, it doesn't give you the right to patronize me.
· I always get the feeling that repairmen are talking down to me, as if I don't know anything.· Krasny never talks down to his audience, assuming they can keep up with complex legal arguments.
someone who talks a lot or too much someone who is talkative talks a lot: · The wine was making her more relaxed and talkative.· Somehow I always end up alone in a room with my talkative aunt.
liking to talk a lot in a friendly way: · Nobles is a chatty, energetic 55-year-old.· The nurses at the hospital were pleasant and chatty, and they made me feel less nervous.
informal someone, especially a child, who talks a lot in a friendly way: · Cathy's a real chatterbox - she's very friendly, but all that talking can wear you out.
British /talks a blue streak American informal to talk a lot without stopping: · Once old Mulrooney got started there was no stopping him - that man could talk the hind leg off a donkey.· Annie had had too much to drink and was talking a blue streak.
someone who likes talking about other people's private lives and behaviour: · Don't tell him anything private - he's a terrible gossip.· The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.
someone who does not talk much someone who is quiet does not talk much. Quiet can be used generally about someone's character, or about a particular situation in which someone does not talk: · The new girl's quiet, but nice enough.· Steven's a very quiet boy who loves reading.· Tyrell was quiet early in the evening, but as he got to know us, he really opened up.
written if someone is silent , they do not say anything. Silent is used before the noun if you are talking about someone's general character, and after the verb if you are talking about a particular situation: · Mrs. Welland was a mild silent woman with no strong opinions.be/remain/stay silent: · Alice was laughing and joking, but her sister remained silent.
formal someone who is taciturn usually does not talk much, so that they may seem a little unfriendly or bad-tempered: · The ship's captain was a taciturn man who spoke only to give orders.· It was unlike her to be so taciturn - she must have had something on her mind.
someone who usually does not talk much, because they only speak when there is something important to say: · My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.· Neighbors remember her as a woman of few words whom everyone respected.
unwilling to talk to other people or unwilling to talk about a particular subject: · Irma was a shy and reticent child.reticent about: · Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.
to stop talking · She was happy to talk about her school and friends, but when I asked her about her parents, she went quiet.· Gerard suddenly realized that the people at the next table had gone quiet and were staring at them.
to suddenly stop talking without finishing what you were saying: · "It's not that I wanted to..." he broke off and sighed.· Kathleen was just telling me about her new car when she suddenly broke off and ran to the window.break off something: · I was sorry to break off his conversation with Margaret, but I had to leave.
written to suddenly stop talking, especially because something has happened to make you feel afraid, sad etc: · "Explain yourself," Mr O'Conner demanded. Paul fell silent, staring hard at the floor.· Everyone in the room fell silent, and Miss Rogers dozed peacefully her chair.
what you say to someone to tell them to stop talking spoken say this when you want someone to stop talking: · Please be quiet for a moment.· Be quiet - I'm on the phone.· Just be quiet and let me finish the story.
spoken say this when you want a group of people, especially a group you are in charge of, to stop talking: · All right, everybody, quiet down - we're about to stop.· Quiet down! I can't hear the TV.
formal spoken used in formal situations, especially by someone in authority to tell people to be completely quiet: · Silence in court!· Silence! Will you please let the honourable Member finish what he is saying.
spoken say this to rudely tell someone to stop talking: · Just shut up and listen to me.· Hey, shut up down there! We're trying to sleep.· No one wants to listen to you - why don't you shut up and sit down.
to not talk about a particular subject · It's been three months, but he won't talk about the accident.· She doesn't talk about her husband half as much as she did when he first died.· I don't know what my parents think about my living here - we never talk about it.
to not talk about something, because it could be embarrassing or difficult, or just because you did not think about talking about it: · Didn't she say anything about the party?· Don't say anything about the divorce - it will only upset her.· The company's policy is not to say anything about former employees other than to give their period of employment.
to not talk about something, even for a short time or carelessly: · We were careful not to mention her son's legal problems.· He doesn't mention Cathy anymore when he writes - I wonder if they broke up?not mention (that): · I didn't mention that we were going to the movies in front of John.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · I normally keep off the subject of ex-girlfriends on a first date.· Unless the interviewer asks you directly, keep off the question of why you left your last job.
to deliberately stop talking about a particular subject, especially because it is embarrassing, upsetting, or annoying someone: · "You'll never get me to believe that!" she screeched, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.· Can we just drop the subject? I'm sick of hearing about it.· Look, just drop it, OK? I understood you the first time.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · We try to steer clear of controversial issues in the workshops.· Her press agent asked the interviewer to steer clear of questions about her love life.
to not talk about an event or situation from the past for a long time, especially because it is very difficult to talk about: · He had kept silent about the murder for ten years before he went to the police.· They said they'd kill her if she didn't keep quiet about what she'd seen.
if you gloss over unpleasant facts, you deliberately avoid talking about them or you only mention them quickly and without giving much detail: · It seems to me he was glossing over some major risks of the plan.· In a job interview you should highlight your strengths and gloss over your weaknesses.
when people who have argued do not talk to each other · "Have you seen Tim lately?" "No, we're not talking at the moment."· When Claire and Andy aren't speaking, she usually calls me up to complain.
if two people are not on speaking terms , their relationship has become so unfriendly that they refuse to talk to each other: · She wasn't on speaking terms with Rachel for several weeks afterwards.· By the end of the year, the two old friends were no longer on speaking terms.
British if a group of people send someone to Coventry , they refuse to talk to that person as a way of punishing them for something: · I don't know why they won't talk to me. I didn't know I'd been sent to Coventry.· When he refused to join the strike, Joe's mates sent him to Coventry for three weeks.
when one person does not talk to another person, usually to show that they are angry: · My sister tried the silent treatment on me, but I just ignored her.give somebody the silent treatment: · On the ride home, Vance's father gave him the silent treatment.
when someone makes a speech a formal situation, for example at a meeting or ceremony, in which you talk to a group of people about a particular subject, usually when you have planned and practised what you are going to say : · She left early to write her speech for the next day.· In her speech, Bauer proposed major changes in the welfare system.speech about/on: · The senator's speech on farm subsidies did not attract a large audience.make/give a speech: · To start with, the governor made a short speech welcoming the visiting dignitaries.
a planned, but not very formal speech about a particular subject, for example at a meeting or on the radio: · There's an interesting series of talks by well-known writers on the radio this week.talk on/about: · You should have heard Dr Cooper's talk on his trip to India - it was fascinating.give a talk: · A researcher from our division gave a talk today about recent advances in cancer treatment.give a talk to somebody: · Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.
to make a formal speech: · I've been invited to speak at the party's annual convention.· Who are they getting to speak at this year's graduation ceremony?speak to: · Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for cooperation in dealing with the sagging economy.speak on/about: · At the convention Ford spoke on immigration and social issues.
to speak publicly to a group of people about a particular subject: talk about: · This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare's historical plays.talk to: · Powell talked to a group of industry leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday.
formal to make a speech to a large group of people: address a group/meeting/crowd/conference etc: · Rifkind addressed a news conference before leaving for Beijing yesterday.· Three Republican candidates addressed a group of 500 senior citizens concerning tax cuts.
the activity or art of making speeches in public: · The course I took in public speaking has really improved my self-confidence.· Executives in big companies need to have excellent public speaking skills.
to give a talk for your company about something such as a new product or business idea: · The presentation went extremely well, with almost all of the audience requesting further information about our proposals.give a presentation: · I was supposed to be giving a presentation that morning to some colleagues from the Japanese division.
someone who makes a speech someone who makes a speech in public: · Doug Williams is the first speaker in tonight's debate.· Everyone tells me I'm a good speaker, but I really hate doing it.public speaker: · Kennedy was known as a brilliant public speaker.guest speaker (=someone who has been invited to come and give a speech or talk): · Each week the school has a different guest speaker come and talk to the students.keynote speaker (=someone who gives the most important speech at a big meeting): · Jennings was one of the keynote speakers at the conference's opening session Thursday.
someone who makes great public speeches and is good at persuading people to accept particular ideas, opinions, or principles: · Ogilvy had a reputation as a great orator.· Keyes is a fiery orator who built his campaign around his anti-abortion stand.
to arrive unexpectedly · We were just having breakfast when Amy appeared.appear at/in/from · Neil appeared at my house around 9 o'clock.· All these people seem to have appeared from nowhere.
to arrive without warning, especially when it is difficult or not convenient for other people: · Brian has a habit of turning up just at the wrong moment.· At midnight Joanne's boyfriend showed up drunk.
if someone or something comes along, it arrives, especially in a way that is unexpected or slightly unusual: · We were having a good time until Ronnie came along.· Bill and I waited an hour for a bus, and then four of them came along at once.
British /speak of the devil American say this when someone you are talking about or have just mentioned comes into the room or arrives unexpectedly: · Talk of the devil! I was just telling everyone about your promotion.· Let's ask Amy what she thinks - speak of the devil, here she is!
to describe someone or something to talk or write about a person, place, event etc, saying what they are like and giving details about them: · Could you try and describe the man you saw?· In her book, she describes her journey across the Sahara.describe somebody/something as: · Police described the attack as particularly violent.describe somebody/something to somebody: · I tried to describe the feeling to my doctor, but she didn't understand.describe how/what: · It's difficult to describe how I felt.
to describe someone or something, especially by giving details about what they look like: · King gave a detailed description of a dark-haired muscular man to police.· The brochure gives a general description of the island and some of the things you can do there.
to describe something that you have seen or experienced by talking to people about it: · Grandma always talks about the way they used to live on the farm.· You should talk about your problems with someone - maybe they can help you.
to describe a person, place, event, situation etc by writing about it: · Have the children write about what they did last summer.· Purcell wrote about his son's illness for a popular magazine.
spoken use this when you are asking someone to describe someone or something to you or when you are describing someone or something to them: · "I've just met Anna's new boyfriend." "What's he like?"· I'll try and explain to you what being in prison was like.
to describe something that happened, giving only the facts and not adding your own feelings or opinions: · Please give a brief account of your previous work experience.· The second witness gave a similar account of what happened.
written to describe an event, situation etc, especially as though it was a story, in order to make it sound more exciting or impressive: · Many of the prisoners have told of the terrible conditions they were kept in and how they were beaten.tell somebody of: · In the evenings Morris would tell us of his youth spent in Europe.
to talk about something with someone to talk about and exchange ideas about something in order to come to an agreement, understand it better, or to make plans: · The two families got together to discuss the wedding arrangements.· The report will be discussed at next week's meeting.discuss something with somebody: · Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.discuss what/how/where etc: · We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.
· I think we need to talk.talk about · If you have a problem at school, sit down and talk about it with your parents.talk to · Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.talk with American · If you need more money you should talk with Richard.
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better: talk something/it over: · If you're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over.talk over something: · The girls were talking over the events of the day.talk something over with somebody: · It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
to discuss different possible choices of what to do before choosing the best one: · We were debating the best way to reach the river, when a passing ranger kindly pointed it out.debate where/what/whether etc: · We debated whether to fly or go by train, finally deciding on the train.· They had already debated where to go on vacation, Yosemite or Lake Tahoe.
informal to discuss an idea with a group of people in order to decide whether it is good or not: · These meetings are useful for kicking around preliminary ideas.· Academics have been kicking around the idea for three decades.
informal if two or more people put their heads together , they discuss something together in order to solve a problem: · We'll put our heads together after work and see if we can come up with a solution.put your heads together to do something: · 150 government leaders are putting their heads together to discuss how to curb the production of greenhouse gases.
to settle a disagreement or difficult situation by talking to the person involved, especially when you are angry with them: · We've had it out and I've told John exactly what I think.have it out with: · I've a good mind to have it out with him here and now.
to escape from a difficult/embarrassing/boring situation to get out of a difficult, embarrassing, or boring situation: · He decided to tell me all about his trip to Majorca, and I just couldn't get away.· Let's see if we can escape before the speeches start.
formal to escape from an embarrassing or difficult situation: · Once they realized that I had been lying, it was almost impossible to extricate myself.extricate yourself from: · At that time, the US was on the verge of extricating itself from the unpopular war.
to escape from an unpleasant or embarrassing situation by giving explanations, making excuses etc: · I don't know how she's going to talk her way out of this one.· Phil never does his homework, but he always manages to talk his way out of it.
to persuade someone to do something to make someone agree to do something, by giving them reasons why they should do it: · Neil didn't want to come at first, but we persuaded him.persuade somebody to do something: · I tried to persuade his ex-girlfriend to talk to him, but she said no.· Teachers need ways to persuade more parents to attend parent-teacher evenings.persuade (that): · He was convicted of the murder, but he is still trying to persuade the public that he's innocent.
things that you say in order to persuade someone to do something: · They hope to end the conflict using persuasion rather than threats.persuasion to: · The Republican leader used every means of persuasion to get senators to vote against the bill.take persuasion: · It took a lot of persuasion to get Dad to agree to the idea.gentle/friendly persuasion (=persuading someone without using threats): · Until the law was passed, the agency could only use gentle persuasion to get industries to reduce waste.powers of persuasion (=skills used for persuading): · The fate of the bill in Congress will depend on Brady's powers of persuasion.
informal to make someone do what you want them to do, especially by trying to persuade them over a long time: · I'm sure I can get Eddie to do it.· My girlfriend is always trying to get me to stop smoking.· Parents learn ways to talk to and carry a baby to get it to stop crying.
to affect what someone decides to do, but without directly persuading them: · I hope you weren't influenced by anything that your brother said.· Do TV programs influence children's behaviour?· Judges should not be influenced by political motives.
to try to persuade someone to do something, because you think it will be good for them: encourage somebody to do something: · Her parents encouraged her to cook and even paid her to make dinner twice a week.· Patricia encouraged me to apply for the job.· We want to encourage more children to use the library.
informal to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do: talk sb into doing something: · I managed to talk them into paying me more money.· Officers said they tried to talk Wilson into leaving the bar, but he started to struggle.talk somebody into it: · I didn't really want to go to the party, but Dave talked me into it.
to persuade someone to do something wrong or stupid, especially when they would not have thought of doing it themselves: · We want to know why they did it and if anyone put them up to it.· Did someone put you up to this?
to persuade someone not to do something to make someone decide not to do something, by giving them reasons why they should not do it: · Catherine persuaded him not to resign.· The program hopes to persuade school children not to try smoking or drugs.
to talk to someone about something they are planning to do, and persuade them not to do it: talk somebody out of something: · I nearly cancelled the wedding, but my best friend talked me out of it.· Police officers talked a man out of a suicide jump off the bridge.talk somebody out of doing something: · Her father talked her out of studying history because he thought she would hate it.
to stop someone wanting to do something, by making them think that it will be difficult or unpleasant: · We need to discourage the use of cars for short journeys.· Leave the lights on when you're out in order to discourage burglars.discourage somebody from doing something: · Girls are sometimes discouraged from studying subjects like engineering and physics.
informal to make someone lose interest in something that they want or were thinking of doing, by making it seem difficult or unpleasant: · I'm not going to be put off by his threats.put somebody off doing something: · A lot of people are put off becoming teachers by the long hours and the low pay.
written to make someone decide not to do something by making them realize that it will be difficult or dangerous or will have unpleasant results: · The new alarm system should deter car thieves.deter somebody from doing something: · The unpleasant taste the drug produces is used to deter alcoholics from drinking.
people someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
to try to persuade someone to behave sensibly · It took some time to calm him down and talk some sense into him.· Will you try and talk some sense into him - he says he's going to drop out of school.
to manage, with some difficulty, to persuade someone to behave sensibly by talking to them about the situation: · I just can't get her to see reason.· Eventually we managed to get the border guards to see reason.
if something that has happened, especially an unpleasant surprise, brings someone to their senses , it makes them stop behaving in a stupid way and start behaving sensibly: · Seeing so many friends dying of drug-related illnesses was what brought me to my senses.· It took a lawsuit to bring them to their senses.
to speak to produce words with your voice: · How old are babies when they learn to speak?· Sean didn't speak the whole time we were in the car.· Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking.speak up (=speak louder): · Can you speak up? -- I can't hear you.
to produce words with your voice in order to have a conversation, tell people what you think etc: · You're not supposed to talk in the library.· Please don't all talk at the same time.
to speak very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: · We had to whisper because Jill's mother was in the next room.· Why are you two whispering?
to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone has done to tell someone in authority, especially a parent or teacher, about something wrong that someone has done - used by children: · I'm going to tell if you don't stop messing around.· Please don't tell on me -- Mum thinks I've been staying at my friend's house.
also split on somebody British informal to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone has done, especially when this seems disloyal: · Can you believe he ratted on his own brother?· Don't worry, Robert's reliable. He won't split on us.
British /tattle (on somebody) American if a child tells tales or tattles on someone, they tell a parent or teacher about something another child has done in order to cause trouble: · "Mum, Daniel's broken a plate." "Don't tell tales, dear."· Sarah's teacher told her it was silly to keep tattling on her classmates.· You'll lose all your friends if you keep tattling.
to give information about a crime, an accident etc to the police or to someone in authority: · I'd like to report a theft.report something to somebody: · All accidents must be reported at once to the aviation authority.· Many rape victims are too scared to report the attack to the police.report somebody (for something): · A man has been reported for a number of alleged motoring offences.
to secretly tell the police that someone you know has done something illegal: · Charlotte informed on her brother, who was then arrested for drug-dealing.· He categorically denied that he had ever informed on dissidents.
British informal /squeal American informal to tell the police who is responsible for a crime or illegal activity when this seems disloyal: · When we got there the cops were waiting for us. Somebody must have squealed.grass on: · If the others ever found out he'd squealed on them, they'd kill him.· You grassed on us to save your own life.grass somebody up: · I don't trust her -- what if she grasses us up?
to give the police information about a crime that you know about or are involved in, especially when they are questioning you officially about it: · The suspect was questioned for two hours, but refused to talk.· He said he'd come back and kill me if I talked.
to let people know about an illegal activity which has been happening for a long time, especially when you have been helping to keep it secret: · He was shot because he knew too much and was about to blow the whistle. blow the whistle about: · It was the factory manager who eventually blew the whistle about the pollution scandal.blow the whistle on: · We'd better get her before she has a chance to blow the whistle on us.
to give the police or another authority information that will allow them to prevent a crime taking place: tip off somebody: · Somebody must have tipped off the police. They were already waiting at the house.· The alert was started by another inmate who tipped off prison staff.tip somebody off: · I wonder who tipped them off.tip somebody off that: · His contact had not merely tipped him off that drugs were on the premises, he had told him where to look.
to make public the names of people who have done something wrong: · If you don't give me the money, I'm going to start naming names.· Someone -- I won't name names -- has been caught stealing from the stores.
especially British, informal /narc especially American, informal to secretly tell the police or someone in authority about someone else's criminal activity, especially activities involving illegal drugs: · "How'd they get caught?" "Somebody must've narked."nark on: · If things get too risky, Ken'll probably narc on you to the cops.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other). They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying. ‘Let’s not talk politics now,’ said Hugh impatiently. How do babies learn to talk? They started talking in Spanish. Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way). Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Careless talk can be disastrous for a business. You’re a fine one to talk (=you are criticizing someone for something you do yourself). In France he could write freely, without fear of arrest. We went outside so that we could talk freely without being overheard. You’re talking gibberish! He’s giving a talk on early Roman pottery. We were just having a look around. Are you going to have a swim? a high-level conference on arms control In April, the president held talks with Chinese leaders. The staff are dedicated people who clearly know what they are talking about. There’s been a bit of loose talk about it. Sarah talked openly about her problems. Alam gave the Pakistani team a pep talk. You do talk rubbish sometimes. We stood around making small talk. I think it’s time for some straight talk now. a tripartite agreement between France, Britain, and Germany
Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other). They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying. ‘Let’s not talk politics now,’ said Hugh impatiently. How do babies learn to talk? They started talking in Spanish. Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way). Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk. Careless talk can be disastrous for a business. (=discussions about a crisis)· The Prime Minister went back to London for crisis talks.
· United Nations disarmament negotiations started today.
(=ask an expert for information or advice)· If cracks appear in your house, you should consult an expert to find out what is causing the problem.
You’re a fine one to talk (=you are criticizing someone for something you do yourself). In France he could write freely, without fear of arrest. We went outside so that we could talk freely without being overheard. You’re talking gibberish! He’s giving a talk on early Roman pottery. We were just having a look around. Are you going to have a swim? a high-level conference on arms control In April, the president held talks with Chinese leaders. The staff are dedicated people who clearly know what they are talking about. (=for advice)· Have you spoken to a lawyer?
There’s been a bit of loose talk about it.· That's not true - he's talking nonsense!
Sarah talked openly about her problems.· A fourth round of peace talks will begin on Monday.
Alam gave the Pakistani team a pep talk.· We talk on the phone every day.· We spoke earlier on the phone, if you remember.
· He is reluctant to talk to the press.
· A second round of talks got under way this week.
You do talk rubbish sometimes. We stood around making small talk. I think it’s time for some straight talk now.· Have you discussed the subject with your husband?
· He was talking on the telephone when the doorbell rang.
· A further round of trade talks begins this week in Geneva.
a tripartite agreement between France, Britain, and Germany· The union is seeking urgent talks with management on this matter.
· They spoke in quick, urgent whispers.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· X-rays aren't something you can talk about, they're visual things.· How about talking to a computer that will talk back?· They all provide different experiences that children can be encouraged to talk about.· Some people get nervous when you talk about individual flexibility.· We're talking about famous people.· It made everyone feel and do just what the president had just been talking about.· And I don't want to talk about yesterday either.· They want you to talk about how you design a communication program right from ground zero.
· The person you should talk to about this is your tutor at college and to a counsellor.· And Briony was too daft to talk to, and Uncle Dan wouldn't be here till tomorrow.· Research has shown that having some one to talk to and confide in is an important factor in preventing depression.· Just remember who you are and who you are talking to.· So whom had he been talking to?· The one you're talking to is all tolerance and forbearance.· She's some one I can talk to.· A psychiatric nurse I talked to in Sheffield works twenty-eight hours and takes home £51 to keep herself and two children.
NOUN· There is little sign of peace talks in a country already shattered by two decades of war.· Secretary of State Christopher is to join IsraelSyria peace talks today in Maryland in an intensified bid for progress in the negotiations.· Hence his offer this week of a new cease-fire and new peace talks with the rebels.· Naturally, Hanoi heralded the bombing halt and the peace talks in Paris as great victories.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey► talk about lazy/cheap/hungry etc► talking of/about something► be like talking to a brick wall► talk somebody’s ear off► I’m/we’re/you’re talking (about) something► now you’re talking► we’re/you’re talking £500/three days etc► talk dirty (to somebody)► be talking through your hat► talk smack► talk to the hand► talk somebody around/round► talk something ↔ through► talk somebody through somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► argue/talk etc till you’re blue in the face► fence-mending measures/talks/trips etc► (it’s been) nice meeting/talking to you► now you’re talking► talk posh
- "What did you say?" "Nothing, I was just talking to myself."
- Betty was talking to herself under her breath as she worked.
- I think he's going crazy - he talks to himself all the time.
- A system is anything that talks to itself.
- And, as he played, he seemed to talk to himself under his breath.
- Clients are often totally unaware of how negatively they may be talking to themselves, anticipating failure and minimizing success.
- Googol talked to himself in a muffled manner or merely droned - hard to say which - whenever he was in space.
- He walked along talking to himself.
- It was funny, she was sort of talking to herself.
- They drank their tea and did not talk to each other.
- We continually talk to ourselves about them, losing force all the time, and feel that we are very badly treated.
- Look, I know what I'm talking about because I was there when it happened.
- Pilger knows what he is talking about, having spent several years as a reporter in Vietnam.
- Rolim seemed to know what he was talking about, but his theories raised some questions for me.
- Wayne, you don't know what the hell you're talking about.
- And those who hint that this approach increases the guilt of the patient simply do not know what they are talking about.
- But the debate will be between two insiders who know what they are talking about.
- But we ensure we first know what we are talking about.
- Engineers should only offer an opinion if they know what they are talking about.
- They are not the only people who know what they are talking about when it comes to children and education.
- They have demonstrated publicly, through close scrutiny by their peers, that they know what they are talking about.
- What are you talking about? - Ron has lots of money.
- And I was like, I was just like, what are you talking about?
- And, anyway, what are you talking about, the rich man in his castle?
- Hey! I'm talking to you! Look at me!
- Both teams talk trash on the basketball court.
- Emotions ran high throughout the game, with players fouling hard and talking trash.
- Miller lets them talk trash on the court.
- Mayor Brown has always been able to talk the talk of the common man.
- Costner is certainly talking the talk.
- Few companies talk the talk like this.
- Plenty of adults talk the talk, or type the type, all day at work.
- "You need to get more exercise." "Look who's talking!"
- How did Cindy talk her way out of getting a speeding ticket?
- He was explaining something to the police with no apparent concern, talking his way out of it.
- I could talk my way out of trouble.
- Then, Benjamin tries to talk his way out of it by saying that he slowed down at the stop sign.
- Everybody except Jurnet clapped, still talking nineteen to the dozen.
- She wished people wouldn't talk in riddles.
- When Tweedledum and Tweedledee talk to Alice they are almost talking in riddles.
- Cell warrior: Prisoner who talks tough when safely in his cell but who is meek when out of it.
- Electioneering, he had talked tough about getting government off the backs of the people.
- Politicians enjoy an easy ride by provoking crime fear and talking tough about punishment.
- So far the Fed has talked tougher about inflation than it has acted.
- This Government talks tough for public consumption but has no stomach for action.
- You talk tough but inside you're just like all the rest of us.
- You karate the walls, you talk tough to the mirror.
- And remember that everyone of it is of your own kind, some one with whom you can talk shop.
- Andy the Mouse got pretty manic and spent half an hour talking shop with a Mickey.
- At the moment the annual summit is little more than an expensive talking shop.
- The Commonwealth is simply a talking shop.
- This would enable a tough general manager to ensure that medical audit did not become simply a talk shop or token activity.
- Get people talking round a subject.
- He had never heard Alex talk around dope before.
- In the early days I remember we could spend an hour talking round one position.
- It was the talk around the base.
- Robyn listened helplessly as they talked around and about her and remembered.
- We talk round all these factors and eventually that tends to work towards a particular player.
- We must have spent at least five minutes talking round the subject.
- Why was she conspiring with him to talk around the subject rather than come to the point?
- A man talking sense to himself is no madder than a man talking nonsense not to himself.
- Don't talk rubbish, girl!
- He had already tried to talk sense into Jotan, and had got nowhere.
- It was easy to laugh in that snug house, talk nonsense half the night, drink.
- People who talk about authentic costume are talking rubbish.
- Quinn realized that he was talking nonsense.
- Someone needs to talk sense into Rob before he gets hurt.
- Afterwards, George asked me to come down and see if I could talk some sense into you.
- At least it gave him time to try and talk some sense into her.
- He had already tried to talk sense into Jotan, and had got nowhere.
- Maybe the squabbling sparrows on the next balcony would talk some sense into her before it was too late.
- She fervently hoped that Father McCormack would be able to talk some sense into her son.
- Take this, and try to talk some sense into your dad if you can.
- He had a wicked tongue when roused and could talk a blue streak.
- I was talking a blue streak.
- She said Smith paid her to pose naked and talk dirty to him.
- And we need to warn them that the words they are using can very easily become fighting words.
- It sounds like good fighting talk but, beyond the active birth arena, I wonder how accurate a picture it represents.
- Today in the 1980s many Christians don't like this fighting talk.
- Where I come from that's fighting talk.
- I had an incredible crying jag.
- Money talks, and poor working people are ignored.
- It was spying, giving away secrets, pillow talk ... Luke knew how desperate she was.
- Maybe later he'd get the information he was after during pillow talk.
- She is described by the Argive elders as speaking in riddles because they fail to understand her predictions.
- She talked in comparisons, she spoke in riddles.
- She wished people wouldn't talk in riddles.
- When Tweedledum and Tweedledee talk to Alice they are almost talking in riddles.
- Don't give them a sales pitch because there is nothing more irritating.
- He is running out of possible patrons, sales talk, flirtatiousness, hair, steam.
- None of this is likely to stop a flurry of sales pitches from mutual-fund salespeople.
- Personally I think this is another of his sales pitches.
- The sales pitch can be so slick that many consumers don't even realize they have bought magazines until the bill arrives.
- The sales pitch is a wonderful movie moment.
- The analogy of the sales pitch is revealing, for advertisers do not promote their product merely by providing information about it.
- There was nothing spectacular about my sales pitch except the language in which it was couched.
- I just want our politicians to talk sense for a change.
- Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
- A man talking sense to himself is no madder than a man talking nonsense not to himself.
- He had already tried to talk sense into Jotan, and had got nowhere.
- Are you two going to talk shop all night?
- I don't want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
- And remember that everyone of it is of your own kind, some one with whom you can talk shop.
- Andy the Mouse got pretty manic and spent half an hour talking shop with a Mickey.
- At the moment the annual summit is little more than an expensive talking shop.
- The Commonwealth is simply a talking shop.
- This would enable a tough general manager to ensure that medical audit did not become simply a talk shop or token activity.
- OK, enough joking around - let's talk turkey.
- They said they would be willing to talk turkey at $125 per shipment.
- First, let's talk turkey.
- I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I don't think this is the best way to proceed.
- Also this week: Ben and Mandy talk out of turn while Luke is listening.
- Captain Steve Waugh had sharp words with Buchanan, telling him he had spoken out of turn.
- He enjoys talking out of turn.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
WORD FAMILYnountalktalkstalkeradjectivetalkativeverbtalk
1conversation [intransitive] to say things to someone as part of a conversation: I could hear Sarah and Andy talking in the next room.talk about English people love to talk about the weather. All through the afternoon, they sat and talked about their trip.talk to She spent a long time talking to him. She’s very easy to talk to.talk with I got the truth from talking with Elena.talk together They were talking together in the hall. Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other).talk in a low voice/a whisper etc They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.talk of (=used especially in formal or literary contexts) We talked of old times.2serious subject [intransitive, transitive] to discuss something serious or important with someone: Joe, we need to talk. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?talk to You should talk to a lawyer.talk about We’ve been talking about getting married.talk with Parents should talk with their children about drug abuse.talk sport/politics/business etc ‘Let’s not talk politics now,’ said Hugh impatiently.RegisterIn written English, people usually say that they are going to discuss, deal with, or address a subject rather than talk about it:· In this essay I will discuss the problem of over-population.3say words [intransitive] to produce words and express thoughts, opinions, ideas etc: She was talking so fast I could hardly understand her. How do babies learn to talk? Some residents were frightened to talk publicly.talk (in) French/German etc They started talking in Spanish. Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way).4a speech [intransitive] to give a speechtalk on/about Professor Davis will talk about ‘Trends in Network Computing’.5secret information [intransitive] if someone who has secret information talks, they tell someone else about it: Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk. He tried to stop his ex-wife from talking on live TV. We should stop meeting like this. People will talk.6talk sense/rubbish/nonsense etc spoken used to say that you think someone is saying something sensible, something stupid etc: You do talk rubbish sometimes, Jules.7talk (some) sense into somebody to persuade someone to behave sensibly: She hoped Father McCormack would be able to talk some sense into her son.8talk to yourself to say your thoughts out loud: ‘What did you say?’ ‘Sorry, I was just talking to myself.’9know what you are talking about spoken to know a lot about a particular subject: I worked in hotels for years, so I know what I’m talking about.10talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey informal to talk a lot, especially about unimportant things11talk about lazy/cheap/hungry etc spoken used to emphasize that someone or something is very lazy, cheap, hungry etc: Talk about lucky. That’s the second time he’s won this week!12talking of/about something spoken used to say more about a subject that someone has just mentioned: Talking of Venice, have you seen the masks I bought there last year?13what are you talking about? spoken used when you think what someone has said is stupid or wrong: What are you talking about? We got there in plenty of time.14I’m talking to you! spoken used when you are angry that the person you are talking to is not paying attention: Rob! I’m talking to you!15be like talking to a brick wall spoken used to say that it is annoying to speak to someone because they do not pay attention to you16talk somebody’s ear off American English spoken to talk too much to someone17talk trash American English informal to say rude or offensive things to or about someone, especially to opponents in a sports competition: Both teams were talking trash on the court.18talk the talk American English informal to say the things that people expect or think are necessary in a particular situation: She didn’t talk the talk of feminism, but her career was the most important thing in her life. → walk the walk at walk1(12)19I’m/we’re/you’re talking (about) something spoken used in conversation to emphasize a fact or remind someone of it: I’m not talking about ancient history, I’m talking about last season’s performance.20now you’re talking spoken used to say that you think someone’s suggestion is a good idea: ‘Fancy an ice cream?’ ‘Now you’re talking.’21look who’s talking, (also you’re a fine one to talk, you can talk) spoken used to tell someone they should not criticize someone else’s behaviour because their own behaviour is just as bad: ‘Peggy shouldn’t smoke so much.’ ‘Look who’s talking!’22we’re/you’re talking £500/three days etc spoken used to tell someone how much something will cost, how long something will take to do etc: To do a proper job, you’re talking £750 minimum.23talk your way out of something informal to escape from a bad or embarrassing situation by giving explanations, excuses etc: She’s good at talking her way out of trouble.24talk nineteen to the dozen British English informal, talk a blue streak American English informal to talk very quickly without stopping25talk in riddles to deliberately talk in a strange and confusing way: Stop talking in riddles and explain what’s going on.26talk tough (on something) informal to give people your opinions very strongly: The president is talking tough on crime.27talk shop if people talk shop, they talk about their work when there are people present who are not interested or involved in it – used to show disapproval: Are you two going to talk shop all night?28talk dirty (to somebody) informal to talk in a sexual way to someone in order to make them feel sexually excited29be talking through your hat British English informal if someone is talking through their hat, they say stupid things about something that they do not understand30talk smack American English informal to criticize someone or something in an unpleasant way31talk to the hand spoken informal used to tell someone rudely that you do not want to listen to anything he or she is going to say to you. When people use this expression, they also usually turn their face away from the other person and hold the palm of their hand out towards them.GRAMMAR: Patterns with talk• Two people talk: · We’ll talk later.• You talk to someone: · I’ll talk to you later. ✗Don’t say: I’ll talk you later.• You talk with someone: · I’ve talked with her teacher.• You talk about something or talk about doing something: · He talked about his feelings.· We talked about changing the system. ✗Don’t say: He talked his feelings.• In formal or literary English, you talk of something or of doing something: · She’s talking of leaving.• You talk in a particular type of voice: · She was talking in a really loud voice.THESAURUStalk to use words to communicate with someone about something: · I need to talk to you about your work.· She always enjoyed talking to Jim.· Can we talk?speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language: · He spoke with confidence and authority.· She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone.· I’d like to speak to the manager.· Do you speak German?go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored: · He went on about how great the team was.· I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.waffle /ˈwɒfəl/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important: · I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point!prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things: · She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey.· What’s he prattling on about now?to talk about everyday thingshave a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: · She was having a conversation with one of her friends.· When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation).· I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: · The girls were chatting outside the house.· It’s been nice having a chat with you.gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: · What are you two gossiping about?visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone: · I visited with him last week.converse formal to have a conversation with someone: · We met once and conversed briefly.to talk seriouslydiscuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans: · They met to discuss how the building should be designed.· She refuses to discuss the matter.talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you: · Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.· You two need to sit down and talk things over.debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem: · The issue will be debated on Tuesday.· The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.talk around/round phrasal verb British English1talk somebody around/round to persuade someone to change their opinion about something: Leave Betty to me. I’ll soon talk her round.2talk around/round something to discuss a problem without really dealing with the important parts of it: They had spent half the night talking round the subject.talk back phrasal verb to answer someone in authority such as a teacher or parent in a rude or impolite waytalk somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb1 British English to make something seem less successful, interesting, good etc than it really is: the pessimists who are talking down Britain2to help a pilot land an aircraft by giving them instructions from the ground by radiotalk down to somebody phrasal verb to talk to someone as if they are stupid, although they are not SYN patronize: The students felt that they were talked down to as though they were children.talk somebody into something phrasal verb to persuade someone to do somethingtalk somebody into doing something My husband talked me into going skiing.talk something ↔ out phrasal verb informal1to discuss a problem thoroughly in order to solve it: We need to spend a little time talking this out.talk out with It might help if you talked it out with Dad.2British English if politicians talk out a proposal, they talk about it for a long time deliberately so that there will not be enough time to vote on it SYN filibuster: The Land Protection Bill was talked out by MPs from rural areas.talk somebody out of something phrasal verb to persuade someone not to do somethingtalk somebody out of doing something Can’t you talk them out of selling the house?talk something ↔ over phrasal verb to discuss a problem with someone before deciding what to dotalk over with Talk over any worries with your GP.talk through something phrasal verb1talk something ↔ through to discuss something thoroughly so that you are sure you understand it: Allow time to talk through any areas of difficulty.2talk somebody through something to help someone understand a process, method etc by explaining it to them carefully before they use it: Trevor talked me through loading the software.talk to something phrasal verb to tell people about or explain something that you have some knowledge of: I can’t talk to the technical aspects of the proposal, but it sounds in general like a good idea.talk something ↔ up phrasal verb to make something appear more important, interesting, successful etc than it really is: Jones talked up the idea at the meeting.talk1 verbtalk2 noun
talktalk2 ●●● S1 W1 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "They say he's having an affair with a colleague at work." "That's just talk."
- A researcher from our division gave a talk today about recent advances in cancer treatment.
- Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.
- In those days there was always talk if two people lived together without being married.
- There's an interesting series of talks by well-known writers on the radio this week.
- You should have heard Dr. Cooper's talk on his trip to India - it was fascinating.
THESAURUS
noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: · I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.· Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.· He overheard our conversation about the children.
noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something important: · There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.· The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: · We had a long talk about our relationship.
noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: · I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: · Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: · She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.· It’s all just gossip.
noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: · We stood around making small talk about the weather.
noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: · She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of people: · The bridegroom usually makes a speech after the wedding.· In her speech, she proposed major changes to the welfare system.· the opening speech of the conference
formal a speech that a very important person gives to a large group of people: · the president’s address to the nation· He was surrounded by security officers as he made his address.
an occasion when someone speaks to a group of people giving them information about a particular subject or about their experiences: · I went to an interesting talk on the wildlife of Antarctica.· He’s been asked to give a talk about his trip to India.
a talk, especially on an academic subject and given to students in a university: · a lecture on 17th-century French literature· Professor Black is giving the lecture.
a talk in which you describe or explain a new product or idea, especially one you give for your company: · I had to give a presentation to the board of directors.· He's making a presentation to the management of a well-known manufacturing company.
a talk given by a priest or a religious leader: · The vicar preached a sermon about the need for forgiveness.
a spoken or written announcement that someone makes in public, often to journalists: · The minister issued a short statement in which he said he had no plans to resign.
Longman Language Activatorto talk to someone to say something to someone, or have a conversation: · We sat around talking for hours.· two friends talking on the phonetalk about: · They talked about their favourite pop stars.talk to: · Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar.· It's been nice talking to you.talk with somebody American: · I left Mario talking with my mother.
to talk to someone. Speak is more formal than talk: · The brothers haven't spoken since the funeral.speak to: · There's a man from the Times on the phone who wants to speak to you.· I spoke to a few people at the party who knew him.
· Did you say something? Sorry - I wasn't listening.· No one said anything.· The older woman said something in Spanish.say something about · I can remember him saying something about his mother being ill.say something to · Pradeep could hear her saying something to the nurse.
especially British to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important: · The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting.chat about: · We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences.chat with/to: · Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
to talk to someone for a period of time: · Could we just sit down and have a normal conversation without shouting?have a conversation about: · We were sitting around the kitchen table having a conversation about food and restaurants.
to be having a conversation, especially one that takes all your attention: be in conversation with: · When I arrived, Diana was already in animated conversation with Mr Summers.be deep in conversation (=so that you do not notice what is happening around you): · The two men were deep in conversation as they walked up the path.
to make an effort to have a conversation with someone, just in order to seem friendly or polite: · I tried to make small talk, but Darden wasn't interested.· "Why did you tell her that?" "I was just making conversation."make polite conversation: · Sheila was sitting next to the boss's wife and felt obliged to make polite conversation.
American informal to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know well: · Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.visit with: · I don't see him that often, but I like to go and visit with him when I can.
formal to have a conversation: · We met once and conversed briefly. That was the extent of our acquaintance.converse with: · The conference gave me an opportunity to meet and converse with VIPs in relaxed surroundings.
when people talk to each other using the Internet by typing in what they want to say and having this sent immediately to someone using a computer in a different place: · On-line chat is becoming an increasingly popular way for young people to make new friends.· Log on to live chat this evening and put your questions to your favourite pop stars.
to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject · I think we need to talk.talk about · If you're having trouble at school, let's sit down and talk about it.talk to · Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.talk with American · It's important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
if people discuss a subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so it is easier to make a decision or make plans: · The whole family got together to discuss funeral arrangements.· We never discuss our financial difficulties in front of the children.discuss what/how/where etc: · We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.discuss something with somebody: · Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
also speak with American to talk to someone about something serious or official: · Maybe it's time for you to speak to a lawyer.· The woman had come all the way from Denver to speak with the President.speak to about: · I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated.· Have you spoken with Michael about the scheduling conflict?
to talk to someone seriously about something you have planned to discuss, especially about a problem or future plans: · Don and I had a long talk, and I think we understand each other better now.have a talk about: · I think it's time we had a talk about your future here in the company.have a talk with: · If this behavior continues, I'm going to have to have a little talk with her.· Someone should have a serious talk with Lucy about the amount of alcohol she drinks.
to talk to someone for a period of time about a serious subject: · The two leaders had a brief conversation yesterday.have a conversation with: · I've had conversations with several employers who say there are not enough qualified people to fill the jobs they have.have a conversation about: · We need to have a conversation with our lawyers about the will.
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better: talk something over: · If you're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over.talk over something: · I took him out to dinner so we could talk over the problem.talk something over with somebody: · It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
to talk to someone quickly, and usually privately, about something serious: · His attitude got so bad his manager was forced to have a word with him.· Jim had a word with Mary, and she took the children out of the room.I'd like (to have) a word with you: · I'd like a word with you in private.
to have a private conversation in which two people both say honestly and sincerely what they feel about something personal: · Don't go in there right now - I think Dean and Carlo are having a heart-to-heart.have a heart-to-heart talk/a heart-to-heart with: · If you think your boss doesn't like you, have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
if two or more people who do the same work talk shop , they have a conversation about their work on a social occasion: · I don't want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
American informal to talk seriously and honestly about matters that need to be agreed, especially business matters: · OK, enough joking around - let's talk turkey.
to start a conversation British /get to talking American · The three of us sat down and after a while we got chatting.get talking/chatting to · I hadn't been there long before someone got talking to me and invited me to a party.get talking/chatting about · Somehow we got to talking about television shows from the '70s.
also get into conversation British to start having a conversation with a stranger, often without intending or expecting to: · After a while the two travellers fell into conversation.fall into conversation/strike up a conversation with: · She got into conversation with a woman at the baker's shop.· My Dad's always striking up conversations with other people in the park.
to talk to someone for a long time about unimportant things to spend time talking to someone, especially someone you are friendly with, about things that are not particularly serious or important: · Cocteau's jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.gossip with: · I wasn't doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.
to talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things - used especially in literature: · The tiny gray-haired woman chattered continuously as she demonstrated how to make a tortilla.chatter with: · They poured out of the school chattering with their friends.chatter about: · Michele sat there chattering about her minor ailments to anyone who would listen.chatter away/on (=continuously): · I could hear the boys chattering away in the other room.
British informal if two people natter , they talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things: natter with: · I can't stand about nattering all day with you natter about: · Keith and Tom were nattering about cars and not doing a stroke of work.
to have a short, friendly conversation about unimportant things with someone you know, especially when you meet them by chance: · I just thought I'd stop by and pass the time of day.pass the time of day with: · Whenever we met in the street, Mr. Kelly would stop and pass the time of day with me.
American informal to have an informal conversation about unimportant things: · The men spent their evenings on the porch, shooting the breeze.shoot the breeze with: · Hemingway came into the bar almost every morning to read the papers, shoot the breeze with the regulars, and enjoy bracing double daiquiris.
a conversation when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation: · Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.· The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.· They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.conversation with: · I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.have a conversation: · Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.topic of conversation: · Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.come up in conversation (=be mentioned as part of the conversation): · Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.
especially British an informal, friendly conversation: · He didn't want anything in particular. He just stopped for a chat.· Mary took Tina in the other room for a private chat.have a chat: · I'm actually glad you're late - it gave Ken and me a chance to have a good chat.
the kind of conversation in which people talk about unimportant things in order to be polite or to avoid serious subjects: · Most of what gets said at parties is just small talk.make small talk: · Heath doesn't waste time making small talk - he comes straight to the point.
to talk about other people's private lives to spend time talking without a serious purpose, usually about other people's private lives or behaviour: · It's best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.gossip about: · Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.
if you say that people talk , you mean that they talk about other people's private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way: · We mustn't be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.
to talk about someone when they are not present: · I hate people who talk about you behind your back and then pretend to be nice to you when they meet you.
used for saying that many people are talking about someone's private life in an unkind or disapproving way: · Tongues are wagging about Hollywood's newest couple.set tongues wagging (=cause people to start talking about you): · Thurmond's marriage so soon after his wife died set tongues wagging.
to talk too much about a particular thing also keep on British especially spoken to keep talking or complaining about something, in a way that is annoying or boring: go on about: · I wish you'd stop going on about how expensive everything is.· Lucy keeps on about little things that happened in the past until I want to scream.go on and on (=keep talking for a long time): · He went on and on until we were all practically asleep.
to keep mentioning something in a way that other people find annoying: · Stop harping on the weather - we can't change it.harp on about: · If you harp on about their bad habits too long, the kids will just stop listening.
British /belabor the point American to express the same idea again and again with the intention of making it clear, but with the result that people get bored: · Everyone agrees with what you said - there's no need to belabor the point.· If the students aren't listening it may be because the teacher is labouring the point too much.
to talk to a group of people you are with, giving your opinions or telling a story in a way that does not let other people have a chance to talk - use this when you think the situation is slightly humorous: · Grandma was holding forth as usual, retelling all the old family stories.hold forth about/on: · Tom was in the corner, holding forth about the economic situation.· After a few drinks, he would hold forth for hours on government conspiracy theories.
to talk for a long time in a confused or boring way to talk for too long in a confused way, changing the subject and forgetting what you have already said: · The trouble is once Dad gets started on a subject, he tends to ramble.ramble on: · Ida rambled on, but Anna wasn't listening to her.ramble about: · He was a little drunk and kept rambling on about the good old days.
to talk quickly and in a confused way so that you seem slightly silly, especially because you are nervous: · Don't pay any attention to her - she's just babbling.babble on: · He babbled on and on until everyone had left the room.babble about: · He was running around babbling about someone named Tulkeke.
British to talk for a long time without making your meaning clear and without really saying anything useful or important: · He didn't know what he was talking about - he was just waffling.· Interviewers dislike candidates who just sit there and waffle instead of answering the questions.
British informal to talk for a long time about something in a stupid and boring way: · It doesn't matter what she's talking about - she'll witter on for hours.· George just rabbited on, boring everyone to death with his silly nonsense.
informal someone who talks too much, especially in a very boring way: · What a gasbag that Mrs Jenkins is! I've been stuck with her for over an hour.· There's a bunch of old windbags on the town council who don't know when to shut up.
someone who is long-winded takes a long time to say something that they could say in a shorter time, which makes other people bored and impatient: · One long-winded speaker after another came to the podium.· Dad can be so long-winded sometimes, I cringe when he starts talking to someone new.
to talk to someone in a way that shows you are attracted to them to talk to and behave towards someone as though you are sexually attracted to them, so that they will pay attention to you: · She was flirting and trying to get the waiter's attention.flirt with: · It embarrasses me when you flirt with other women in front of me.· No one had flirted with me in years, and I didn't really know how to respond.
British to talk to someone in a way that shows you are sexually attracted to them, in order to try and make them interested in you: chat somebody up: · I'm not in the mood to go to bars and wait for sad men to try to chat me up.chat up somebody: · When I left the party Kelly was still chatting up that tall guy in the kitchen.
to talk to yourself · I think he's going crazy - he talks to himself all the time.· Betty was talking to herself under her breath as she worked.
to say aloud what you are thinking, without meaning to talk to anyone else: · "I don't follow you." "That's OK. I'm just thinking out loud."· She began to think aloud as she always did when she was faced with a difficult problem.
to talk to someone as if they were stupid also patronise British · Kids don't like to be patronized any more than adults do.· Just because you're older than me, it doesn't give you the right to patronize me.
· I always get the feeling that repairmen are talking down to me, as if I don't know anything.· Krasny never talks down to his audience, assuming they can keep up with complex legal arguments.
someone who talks a lot or too much someone who is talkative talks a lot: · The wine was making her more relaxed and talkative.· Somehow I always end up alone in a room with my talkative aunt.
liking to talk a lot in a friendly way: · Nobles is a chatty, energetic 55-year-old.· The nurses at the hospital were pleasant and chatty, and they made me feel less nervous.
informal someone, especially a child, who talks a lot in a friendly way: · Cathy's a real chatterbox - she's very friendly, but all that talking can wear you out.
British /talks a blue streak American informal to talk a lot without stopping: · Once old Mulrooney got started there was no stopping him - that man could talk the hind leg off a donkey.· Annie had had too much to drink and was talking a blue streak.
someone who likes talking about other people's private lives and behaviour: · Don't tell him anything private - he's a terrible gossip.· The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.
someone who does not talk much someone who is quiet does not talk much. Quiet can be used generally about someone's character, or about a particular situation in which someone does not talk: · The new girl's quiet, but nice enough.· Steven's a very quiet boy who loves reading.· Tyrell was quiet early in the evening, but as he got to know us, he really opened up.
written if someone is silent , they do not say anything. Silent is used before the noun if you are talking about someone's general character, and after the verb if you are talking about a particular situation: · Mrs. Welland was a mild silent woman with no strong opinions.be/remain/stay silent: · Alice was laughing and joking, but her sister remained silent.
formal someone who is taciturn usually does not talk much, so that they may seem a little unfriendly or bad-tempered: · The ship's captain was a taciturn man who spoke only to give orders.· It was unlike her to be so taciturn - she must have had something on her mind.
someone who usually does not talk much, because they only speak when there is something important to say: · My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.· Neighbors remember her as a woman of few words whom everyone respected.
unwilling to talk to other people or unwilling to talk about a particular subject: · Irma was a shy and reticent child.reticent about: · Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.
to stop talking · She was happy to talk about her school and friends, but when I asked her about her parents, she went quiet.· Gerard suddenly realized that the people at the next table had gone quiet and were staring at them.
to suddenly stop talking without finishing what you were saying: · "It's not that I wanted to..." he broke off and sighed.· Kathleen was just telling me about her new car when she suddenly broke off and ran to the window.break off something: · I was sorry to break off his conversation with Margaret, but I had to leave.
written to suddenly stop talking, especially because something has happened to make you feel afraid, sad etc: · "Explain yourself," Mr O'Conner demanded. Paul fell silent, staring hard at the floor.· Everyone in the room fell silent, and Miss Rogers dozed peacefully her chair.
what you say to someone to tell them to stop talking spoken say this when you want someone to stop talking: · Please be quiet for a moment.· Be quiet - I'm on the phone.· Just be quiet and let me finish the story.
spoken say this when you want a group of people, especially a group you are in charge of, to stop talking: · All right, everybody, quiet down - we're about to stop.· Quiet down! I can't hear the TV.
formal spoken used in formal situations, especially by someone in authority to tell people to be completely quiet: · Silence in court!· Silence! Will you please let the honourable Member finish what he is saying.
spoken say this to rudely tell someone to stop talking: · Just shut up and listen to me.· Hey, shut up down there! We're trying to sleep.· No one wants to listen to you - why don't you shut up and sit down.
to not talk about a particular subject · It's been three months, but he won't talk about the accident.· She doesn't talk about her husband half as much as she did when he first died.· I don't know what my parents think about my living here - we never talk about it.
to not talk about something, because it could be embarrassing or difficult, or just because you did not think about talking about it: · Didn't she say anything about the party?· Don't say anything about the divorce - it will only upset her.· The company's policy is not to say anything about former employees other than to give their period of employment.
to not talk about something, even for a short time or carelessly: · We were careful not to mention her son's legal problems.· He doesn't mention Cathy anymore when he writes - I wonder if they broke up?not mention (that): · I didn't mention that we were going to the movies in front of John.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · I normally keep off the subject of ex-girlfriends on a first date.· Unless the interviewer asks you directly, keep off the question of why you left your last job.
to deliberately stop talking about a particular subject, especially because it is embarrassing, upsetting, or annoying someone: · "You'll never get me to believe that!" she screeched, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.· Can we just drop the subject? I'm sick of hearing about it.· Look, just drop it, OK? I understood you the first time.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · We try to steer clear of controversial issues in the workshops.· Her press agent asked the interviewer to steer clear of questions about her love life.
to not talk about an event or situation from the past for a long time, especially because it is very difficult to talk about: · He had kept silent about the murder for ten years before he went to the police.· They said they'd kill her if she didn't keep quiet about what she'd seen.
if you gloss over unpleasant facts, you deliberately avoid talking about them or you only mention them quickly and without giving much detail: · It seems to me he was glossing over some major risks of the plan.· In a job interview you should highlight your strengths and gloss over your weaknesses.
when people who have argued do not talk to each other · "Have you seen Tim lately?" "No, we're not talking at the moment."· When Claire and Andy aren't speaking, she usually calls me up to complain.
if two people are not on speaking terms , their relationship has become so unfriendly that they refuse to talk to each other: · She wasn't on speaking terms with Rachel for several weeks afterwards.· By the end of the year, the two old friends were no longer on speaking terms.
British if a group of people send someone to Coventry , they refuse to talk to that person as a way of punishing them for something: · I don't know why they won't talk to me. I didn't know I'd been sent to Coventry.· When he refused to join the strike, Joe's mates sent him to Coventry for three weeks.
when one person does not talk to another person, usually to show that they are angry: · My sister tried the silent treatment on me, but I just ignored her.give somebody the silent treatment: · On the ride home, Vance's father gave him the silent treatment.
when someone makes a speech a formal situation, for example at a meeting or ceremony, in which you talk to a group of people about a particular subject, usually when you have planned and practised what you are going to say : · She left early to write her speech for the next day.· In her speech, Bauer proposed major changes in the welfare system.speech about/on: · The senator's speech on farm subsidies did not attract a large audience.make/give a speech: · To start with, the governor made a short speech welcoming the visiting dignitaries.
a planned, but not very formal speech about a particular subject, for example at a meeting or on the radio: · There's an interesting series of talks by well-known writers on the radio this week.talk on/about: · You should have heard Dr Cooper's talk on his trip to India - it was fascinating.give a talk: · A researcher from our division gave a talk today about recent advances in cancer treatment.give a talk to somebody: · Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.
to make a formal speech: · I've been invited to speak at the party's annual convention.· Who are they getting to speak at this year's graduation ceremony?speak to: · Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for cooperation in dealing with the sagging economy.speak on/about: · At the convention Ford spoke on immigration and social issues.
to speak publicly to a group of people about a particular subject: talk about: · This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare's historical plays.talk to: · Powell talked to a group of industry leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday.
formal to make a speech to a large group of people: address a group/meeting/crowd/conference etc: · Rifkind addressed a news conference before leaving for Beijing yesterday.· Three Republican candidates addressed a group of 500 senior citizens concerning tax cuts.
the activity or art of making speeches in public: · The course I took in public speaking has really improved my self-confidence.· Executives in big companies need to have excellent public speaking skills.
to give a talk for your company about something such as a new product or business idea: · The presentation went extremely well, with almost all of the audience requesting further information about our proposals.give a presentation: · I was supposed to be giving a presentation that morning to some colleagues from the Japanese division.
someone who makes a speech someone who makes a speech in public: · Doug Williams is the first speaker in tonight's debate.· Everyone tells me I'm a good speaker, but I really hate doing it.public speaker: · Kennedy was known as a brilliant public speaker.guest speaker (=someone who has been invited to come and give a speech or talk): · Each week the school has a different guest speaker come and talk to the students.keynote speaker (=someone who gives the most important speech at a big meeting): · Jennings was one of the keynote speakers at the conference's opening session Thursday.
someone who makes great public speeches and is good at persuading people to accept particular ideas, opinions, or principles: · Ogilvy had a reputation as a great orator.· Keyes is a fiery orator who built his campaign around his anti-abortion stand.
someone who boasts a lot someone who is boastful boasts a lot: · After they had drunk more wine, they started to become loud and boastful.· In the weeks before the game, Ogden gave a number of boastful interviews to the press.
British informal someone who is big-headed thinks that they are very important and shows this by often boasting about their abilities or achievements: · I don't want to sound big-headed, but I thought my picture was the best.
spoken if you say that someone is all talk , you mean that they make all their plans and their achievements seem more impressive than they really are, and people should not believe them: · Ralph's all talk. I wouldn't take him too seriously if I were you.
someone who often mentions the names of famous or important people that they have met or spoken to, in order to make people admire them: · Anna is a distant relative of the prime minister, and she's one of the worst name-droppers I've ever met.
rules of acceptable behaviour British /rumor American information which is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true, especially information about people's private lives or about something that a government, company etc has done or is planning to do: · The truth finally came out after months of rumour and gossip.rumour about/of: · What's this rumour about you and Vince Foster?· There were rumours of bombings in the northern part of the country.rumour that: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.hear a rumour: · Have you heard the rumour about him and his secretary?spread a rumour (=tell other people a rumour): · Someone's been spreading nasty rumours about me.it's only a rumour: · I don't think he's going to resign. It's only a rumour.rumour has it that (=there is a rumour that): · Rumour has it that there will be major job cuts in the new year.
if there is speculation about something, especially about something that is happening in politics or public life, a lot of people are talking about it and trying to guess what the truth is - used especially in news reports: speculation about: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium's largest banks.speculation that: · Washington was buzzing with speculation that the senator would resign.amid speculation: · Share prices increased amid speculation that the Bank of England would cut interest rates.prompt/fuel etc speculation (=start or increase speculation): · The news fuelled speculation that the President's health had become significantly worse.pure/wild/idle speculation (=speculation that is very unlikely to be true): · Reports that the couple are getting a divorce have been dismissed as wild speculation.
information which people tell each other about other people's private lives, and which may or may not be true, especially when this is done in an unkind or disapproving way: · I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.gossip about: · The conversation began to drift towards gossip about their colleagues.exchange gossip (with somebody) (=tell each other gossip): · Mrs Busby was always ready to exchange local gossip with the customers who came into her shop.gossip column (=part of a newspaper that contains gossip about famous people): · Recently her name has showed up a lot in gossip columns.malicious gossip (=unkind and untrue gossip that someone spreads deliberately): · I don't believe Liz had an affair with him. That's just malicious gossip.
when something immoral or shocking happens, often involving important people, organizations, or events, and it becomes known by the general public: · Have you heard the latest scandal? Mick Green's been arrested for bribery and corruption.scandal over: · The scandal over the deal forced the corporation's president to resign in disgrace.a scandal breaks/erupts: · A major scandal erupted in November 1989, with the discovery that cattle in the UK and Netherlands had been given food contaminated with lead.
information or news that you think might be true, although you do not have any definite proof: reports of: · The government has promised to investigate reports of police corruption.unconfirmed reports (=reports that have not yet been proved to be true): · We are getting unconfirmed reports of a gas explosion in downtown Los Angeles.
what people tell each other about other people's personal lives, especially about their sexual relationships: · In those days there was always talk if two people lived together without being married.just talk (=a rumour that is unlikely to be true): · "They say he's having an affair with a colleague at work." "That's just talk."
something that you have been told, or that you have heard only indirectly, but which you have no way of proving to be either true or untrue: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· Judge Wagenbach ruled that the statement was inadmissible as evidence, after Mr. Lamb's attourney argued that it was hearsay.rely on hearsay: · A factual book is a lot better than relying on hearsay from friends.hearsay evidence (=evidence given in a court of law by someone who did not directly see something happen): · The court is not allowed to admit hearsay evidence.
if you hear some news or information on or through the grapevine , someone else tells it to you unofficially, often in conversation: · "Who told you I was moving house?" "Oh, I just heard it on the grapevine."· Freddie was distressed when, through the grapevine, he heard of Liza's marriage.the school/hospital/industry etc grapevine: · According to the high-school grapevine, Kelly wants me to ask her out on a date.
if someone or something is rumoured to be doing something, be happening, be in a particular condition etc, that is what you have heard people saying: · It's a five star hotel and rumored to be the best in Europe.· The hospital is rumoured to be heading for closure, after the government's announcement on cuts.
what people say about something use this to tell someone what someone else has said or written: · According to today's paper, 20 people died in the fire.· Rob's got a new girlfriend, according to Janine.
British /rumor has it American spoken say this when you are telling someone something that you heard from someone else, which may not actually be true: · To join the club, rumor had it, you had to be earning more than $100,000 a year.rumour has it (that): · Rumour had it that she only married him for his money.
spoken use this to say what a lot of people believe and say: they say/people say (that): · They say her husband's in prison.so they say (=use this when you are not sure whether something is true): · The test isn't difficult, or so they say.
spoken use this to say what you have read or been told, although you do not directly know about it yourself: · It's going to be hot this weekend, apparently.· Apparently, Jim's a really good tennis player.
spoken use this to tell someone about what may happen in the future, that you have heard other people talking about: · He was doing very well at college and there was talk of him being accepted for Harvard.· The company already does business with Germany and Japan and there's been some talk of a deal with the French.
spoken say this when you have heard people saying that something is true but you do not believe it: · Richard was supposedly a tall, dark-eyed handsome man.· He was supposedly delivering some papers to her but I think it was just an excuse to see her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs Careless talk can be disastrous for a business. You’re a fine one to talk (=you are criticizing someone for something you do yourself). In France he could write freely, without fear of arrest. We went outside so that we could talk freely without being overheard. You’re talking gibberish! He’s giving a talk on early Roman pottery. We were just having a look around. Are you going to have a swim? a high-level conference on arms control In April, the president held talks with Chinese leaders. The staff are dedicated people who clearly know what they are talking about. There’s been a bit of loose talk about it. Sarah talked openly about her problems. Alam gave the Pakistani team a pep talk. You do talk rubbish sometimes. We stood around making small talk. I think it’s time for some straight talk now. a tripartite agreement between France, Britain, and Germany
· I must have a talk with Frank before I leave.
adjectives· I had a long talk with Nora this morning.
· I’m glad we’ve had this little talk.
· Before she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.
· She asked if she could have a private talk.
(=a long talk about important or interesting things)· She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.
· We all had lunch together and a nice talk.
Meaning 2verbs· He called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.
(=start having talks)· The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.
· Talks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.
· Talks will continue through the weekend.
(=stop because of disagreement)· Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
· Talks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.
· The talks ended without a settlement being reached.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + talks· All four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.
· Trade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.
(=involving important people)· The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.
· The dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.
· The president declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.
(=involving two groups or countries)· Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.
(=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way)· An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.
· The prime minister called ministers together for urgent talks.
(=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous)· The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.
phrases (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process)· A third round of talks was held in May.
· The collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Careless talk can be disastrous for a business. (=discussions about a crisis)· The Prime Minister went back to London for crisis talks.
· United Nations disarmament negotiations started today.
(=ask an expert for information or advice)· If cracks appear in your house, you should consult an expert to find out what is causing the problem.
You’re a fine one to talk (=you are criticizing someone for something you do yourself). In France he could write freely, without fear of arrest. We went outside so that we could talk freely without being overheard. You’re talking gibberish! He’s giving a talk on early Roman pottery. We were just having a look around. Are you going to have a swim? a high-level conference on arms control In April, the president held talks with Chinese leaders. The staff are dedicated people who clearly know what they are talking about. (=for advice)· Have you spoken to a lawyer?
There’s been a bit of loose talk about it.· That's not true - he's talking nonsense!
Sarah talked openly about her problems.· A fourth round of peace talks will begin on Monday.
Alam gave the Pakistani team a pep talk.· We talk on the phone every day.· We spoke earlier on the phone, if you remember.
· He is reluctant to talk to the press.
· A second round of talks got under way this week.
You do talk rubbish sometimes. We stood around making small talk. I think it’s time for some straight talk now.· Have you discussed the subject with your husband?
· He was talking on the telephone when the doorbell rang.
· A further round of trade talks begins this week in Geneva.
a tripartite agreement between France, Britain, and Germany· The union is seeking urgent talks with management on this matter.
· They spoke in quick, urgent whispers.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· One hopeful sign for the success of the peace talks is the military deadlock.· And it made us realize how important these peace talks that are happening in Northern Ireland right now are.· The gimmick's failure underlined the difficulties the peace talks are causing for the right.· Sinn Fein is excluded from peace talks that are now at a virtual standstill.· A later communiqué from the guerrillas called for immediate peace talks and for their representation in the Constituent Assembly.· The secretary of state is to fly to Damascus today to press IsraelSyria peace talks.· Despite the peace talks, Farc's commanders have said that they will continue to kidnap civilians to pay for their campaigns.· History will not judge us by whether we get these old enemies to peace talks.
· I wondered what they said in there, what pep talks were handed out.· A pep talk was all it took.· Rubin himself appeared on stage for a pep talk, a short and stocky 40ish fellow in business blues.· Since I am not a person whose anxiety diminishes at the prospect of certain failure, I gave myself a pep talk.· In Harrogate I was to meet my editor for a pep talk.· This is not just a smarmy pep talk but an unflinching discussion of real angst and a real adjustment process.· If ever there was a time for a spirited pep talk, this is it.· His pep talk had obviously worked the night before.
· I also discovered that being a guest on a talk show is pretty nerve-racking.· For a while he even hosted his own talk show.· But Costas doesn't have the on-screen presence to hold his own as a talk show host.· When talk show host Denise Richardson asks if he killed the guard, Nathan answers yes.· A big-deal syndicated talk show like us?· That was followed by a series of appearances on talk shows by doctors who extolled Retin-A as a wrinkle treatment.
· To seize it he must not let Mr Kaifu get all the credit if the trade talks succeed.· Royals outfielder Les Norman has been mentioned in trade talks.· Tim Brown sifted through the trade talk, clearly and succinctly.· Jamal Crawford, who was virtually untouchable in trade talks, has shown little but long-range potential.
VERB· Tyll, a broadcaster for 20 years, began as a talk host in 1982.· The country is poised to begin talks with officials at the International Monetary Fund next week on a $ 3 billion loan.
· I tell stories, give talks, run writing workshops - for children and adults all over the country.· My brother was now traveling to several towns in Galicia, where he gave talks and readings from his work.· Perhaps you can offer to give talks, show slides, put on an exhibition, start a local interest group.· I gave a talk at Harvard Divinity School in the fall.· You came to the school and gave a talk.· Giving a Talk During your course you will be asked to give at least one talk.· James Griffith will give a free talk about arts of the community at 12: 15 p. m. Wednesday, December 4.
· Clinton will hold separate talks with Yeltsin on Sunday.· School governors will hold talks before the next meeting of the Education Committee when a final decision is expected.· Following the meeting Mann said that Shekhar had agreed to hold direct talks with militant leaders.· He held talks with both Johnson and Taylor, which led to the declaration of a truce on Sept. 22.· He then went on to London, to hold talks with Beaverbrook and other Air Ministry officials.
· Towards the end of September, western governments finally resumed their tough talk.· Yesterday's meeting resumed talks broken off after eight hours in Dublin last month.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be the talk of the town/Paris etc► talk is cheapPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► argue/talk etc till you’re blue in the face► fence-mending measures/talks/trips etc► (it’s been) nice meeting/talking to you► now you’re talking► talk posh
- Talks broke down over how the city's money could be used.
- peace talks
- Ralph's all talk. I wouldn't take him too seriously if I were you.
- Britain is all talk and no action.
- His critics leaped on his decision not to run, saying that Kemp was all talk and no action.
- Revival is all talk LET'S be honest about it, the great Kendall revival is not going to happen.
- The right Hon. Gentleman is all talk and no fight.
- Until yesterday it was all talk.
- He had a wicked tongue when roused and could talk a blue streak.
- I was talking a blue streak.
- She said Smith paid her to pose naked and talk dirty to him.
- And we need to warn them that the words they are using can very easily become fighting words.
- It sounds like good fighting talk but, beyond the active birth arena, I wonder how accurate a picture it represents.
- Today in the 1980s many Christians don't like this fighting talk.
- Where I come from that's fighting talk.
- I had an incredible crying jag.
- Money talks, and poor working people are ignored.
- It was spying, giving away secrets, pillow talk ... Luke knew how desperate she was.
- Maybe later he'd get the information he was after during pillow talk.
- She is described by the Argive elders as speaking in riddles because they fail to understand her predictions.
- She talked in comparisons, she spoke in riddles.
- She wished people wouldn't talk in riddles.
- When Tweedledum and Tweedledee talk to Alice they are almost talking in riddles.
- Don't give them a sales pitch because there is nothing more irritating.
- He is running out of possible patrons, sales talk, flirtatiousness, hair, steam.
- None of this is likely to stop a flurry of sales pitches from mutual-fund salespeople.
- Personally I think this is another of his sales pitches.
- The sales pitch can be so slick that many consumers don't even realize they have bought magazines until the bill arrives.
- The sales pitch is a wonderful movie moment.
- The analogy of the sales pitch is revealing, for advertisers do not promote their product merely by providing information about it.
- There was nothing spectacular about my sales pitch except the language in which it was couched.
- I just want our politicians to talk sense for a change.
- Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
- A man talking sense to himself is no madder than a man talking nonsense not to himself.
- He had already tried to talk sense into Jotan, and had got nowhere.
- Are you two going to talk shop all night?
- I don't want to go out to dinner with him and his lawyer friends - all they ever do is talk shop.
- And remember that everyone of it is of your own kind, some one with whom you can talk shop.
- Andy the Mouse got pretty manic and spent half an hour talking shop with a Mickey.
- At the moment the annual summit is little more than an expensive talking shop.
- The Commonwealth is simply a talking shop.
- This would enable a tough general manager to ensure that medical audit did not become simply a talk shop or token activity.
- OK, enough joking around - let's talk turkey.
- They said they would be willing to talk turkey at $125 per shipment.
- First, let's talk turkey.
- I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I don't think this is the best way to proceed.
- Also this week: Ben and Mandy talk out of turn while Luke is listening.
- Captain Steve Waugh had sharp words with Buchanan, telling him he had spoken out of turn.
- He enjoys talking out of turn.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
WORD FAMILYnountalktalkstalkeradjectivetalkativeverbtalk
1conversation [countable] a conversation: After a long talk, we decided on divorce. John, I’d like to have a talk with you.talk about We must have a talk about money.2discussion talks [plural] formal discussions between governments, organizations etcpeace/trade etc talks The peace talks look promising. The president held talks with Chinese officials.talk with Talks with the rebels have failed.3speech [countable] a speech: an entertaining talktalk on/about a talk on local historygive/do/deliver a talk Dr Howard will give a talk on herbal medicine.► see thesaurus at speech4news [uncountable] information or news that people talk about and hear about a lot, but that is not officialtalk of Tickets sold so quickly there’s talk of a second concert.talk of doing something the administration’s talk of reducing weaponstalk that There’s talk that she’s difficult to work with.just/only talk It’s just talk. He’ll never do it.5type of conversation [uncountable] type of conversation: That’s enough of that kind of talk. persuasive sales talk That’s fighting talk (=brave and confident words) from Italy’s manager.6be all talk spoken someone who is all talk talks a lot about what they intend to do, but never actually does it7be the talk of the town/Paris etc someone who is the talk of the town has done something bad, shocking, exciting etc and everyone is talking about them: She’s the talk of London’s theatre-goers since her last performance.8talk is cheap used to say that you do not believe someone will do what they say → pep talk, small talk, → idle talk at idle1(2), → pillow talk at pillow1(3)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave a talk· I must have a talk with Frank before I leave.adjectivesa long talk· I had a long talk with Nora this morning.a little talk· I’m glad we’ve had this little talk.a serious talk· Before she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.a quiet/private talk· She asked if she could have a private talk.a good talk (=a long talk about important or interesting things)· She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.a nice talk· We all had lunch together and a nice talk.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbshave/hold talks· He called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.enter into talks (=start having talks)· The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.talks begin· Talks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.talks continue/are underway· Talks will continue through the weekend.talks break down/collapse (=stop because of disagreement)· Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.talks resume/are resumed· Talks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.talks end· The talks ended without a settlement being reached.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + talkspeace talks· All four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.trade talks· Trade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.high-level talks (=involving important people)· The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.budget talks· The dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.direct talks· The president declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.bilateral talks (=involving two groups or countries)· Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.round-table talks (=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way)· An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.urgent talks· The prime minister called ministers together for urgent talks.crisis talks (=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous)· The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.phrasesa round of talks (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process)· A third round of talks was held in May.the breakdown/collapse of talks· The collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.