Page 169 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance

Idioms connected with using language
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Idioms connected with communication problems

They're talking at cross-purposes. He's got the wrong end of the stick.

She can't get a word in edgeways. I can't make head or tail of what he's saying.

Good talk, bad talk
The boss always talks down to us. [talks as if we were inferior]
My work-mates are always talking behind my back. [saying negative things about me
when I'm not there]
It was just small talk, nothing more, I promise. [purely social talk, nothing serious]
Let's sit somewhere else; they always talk shop over lunch, and it bores me rigid. [talk
about work]
Hey! Your new friend's become a real talking-point among the staff! Did you know?
[subject that everyone wants to talk about]
It's gone too far this time. I shall have to give him a talking to. [reproach/scold him]

Talk in discussions, meetings, etc.

1 start the discussion 5 finish the discussion
2 say exactly what I think 6 say stupid things
3 say it in few words 7 come to the important part of the matter
4 say things in a long, indirect way 8 say intelligent, reasonable things

164 English Vocabulary in Use