get a word in edgewise
Related to get a word in edgewise: get a word in edgeways
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
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.
- edgeways
- get a word in edgeways
- get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways
- edgewise
- able to get a word in edgewise
- not get a word in edgeways
- bother about
- bother about (someone or something)
- bother with
- bother with (someone or something)