edgeways

get a word in edgeways

To speak or express one's opinion despite other people dominating the conversation (hence the image of squeezing words in "edgeways"—sideways). Usually used in the negative to convey the opposite. When Mary paused in her monologue, I was finally able to get a word in edgeways about my own weekend! The third-tier candidate couldn't get a word in edgeways at the debate.
See also: edgeways, get, word

get a word in edgewise

To speak or express one's opinion despite other people dominating the conversation (hence the image of squeezing words in "edgewise"—sideways). Usually used in the negative to convey the opposite. When Mary paused in her monologue, I was finally able to get a word in edgewise about my own weekend! The third-tier candidate couldn't get a word in edgewise at the debate.
See also: edgewise, get, word

not get a word in edgeways

To be unable to speak or make one's opinion known due to one or more people dominating the conversation. The third-tier candidate couldn't get a word in edgeways at the debate. I can never get a word in edgeways when Mary comes to the book club—she just never stops talking.
See also: edgeways, get, not, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways

Fig. to manage to say something when other people are talking and ignoring you. (Often in the negative. Alludes to trying to "squeeze" a word into a running conversation.) It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgewise. Mary talks so fast that nobody can get a word in edgeways.
See also: and, edgeways, edgewise, get, word
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get a word in edgewise

Also, get a word in edgeways. Insert oneself into a conversation or express one's opinion despite competition from other speakers. For example, So many people had questions for the lecturer that it was hard to get a word in edgewise, or Nancy loves to talk, and I couldn't get a word in edgeways. This idiom, often put in the negative, transfers an object with its edge foremost to inserting conversation. [Late 1700s]
See also: edgewise, get, word
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

not get a word in edgeways

BRITISH or

not get a word in edgewise

AMERICAN
If you cannot get a word in edgeways in a conversation, you find it difficult to say anything because someone else is talking so much. For heaven's sake, Sue, will you let me get a word in edgeways! Jamie dominated the conversation and Zhou could hardly get a word in edgewise.
See also: edgeways, get, not, word
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get a word in edgeways

contribute to a conversation with difficulty because the other speaker talks almost incessantly.
See also: edgeways, get, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(not) get a word in ˈedgeways

(British English) (American English (not) get a word in ˈedgewise) (informal) (usually used with can or could) (not) be able to say something, because somebody else is talking too much: I tried to tell him what I thought, but I couldn’t get a word in edgeways.
See also: edgeways, get, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • get a word in edgeways
  • get a word in edgewise
  • get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways
  • able to get a word in edgewise
  • edgewise
  • not get a word in edgeways
  • bother about
  • bother about (someone or something)
  • bother with
  • bother with (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
We caught up with the unlikely trio of Jack Black, Billy Connolly and James Corden to chat about their roles in the film - or at least try to get a word in edgeways.
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Strings and woodwind butted in excitedly every so often as if trying to have their say but unable to get a word in edgeways during the pianos' lively banter.
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At first they think the group should just consist of women, as "men pontificate and you can't get a word in edgeways".
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She's a highly-competent presenter but she can't get a word in edgeways.''
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At 30 paces she could slice a playing card held edgeways. At the height of her career she was one of the most well- known cultural icons in the United States.
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As any subject of this particular interviewer would know, Elton is pretty lucky he got a word in edgeways.
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He hit back, adding: "We'll have to call you Jaws because I can never get a word in edgeways."
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You couldn't get a word in edgeways, she was proper on a rant."
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Now if he would just let them get a word in edgeways once in a while.
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Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1, 10.35pm) Jonathan is facing one of his biggest challenges tonight - he's going to try and get a word in edgeways with three Loose Women on his sofa!
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After being introduced to Lilith Wigglesworth he couldn't get a word in edgeways.
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I'm surprised she ever got a word in edgeways in the first place.
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Our other son and daughter don't get a look or a word in edgeways. They go very quiet and sullen when their brother and his father bore us all silly.
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