engage in small talk

engage in small talk

To chat with someone, usually a stranger or acquaintance, about benign topics (such as the weather or one's employment). Because Tom and Joe had never met before, they engaged in small talk by the appetizers. If you think that girl's pretty, go over and engage in small talk with her.
See also: engage, small, talk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

engage in small talk

to talk only about minor matters rather than important matters or personal matters. All the people at the party were engaging in small talk. They chatted about the weather and otherwise engaged in small talk.
See also: engage, small, talk
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a stranger to (someone or something)
  • stranger
  • stranger to
  • passing
  • drop in for a chat
  • make (someone's) acquaintance
  • make acquaintance
  • make somebody's acquaintance
  • small talk
  • pleased to meet you
References in periodicals archive
Also, there will be times when people will not want to engage in small talk, maybe they are in a hurry, or they have something else on their mind.