speak the same language, to
speak the same language
To share and/or understand one another's opinions, values, beliefs, tastes, etc. Likened to literally speaking the same language as another person and therefore being able to communicate fluently. A: "I say we stop here and get some ice cream." B: "You and I are speaking the same language." Bill and my dad are getting along very well together. They're both obsessed with hockey, so they speak the same language.
See also: language, same, speak
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
speak the same language
1. Lit. [for two or more people] to communicate in a shared language. These two people don't speak the same language and need an interpreter.
2. Fig. [for people] to have similar ideas, tastes, etc. Jane and Jack get along very well. They really speak the same language about almost everything. Bob and his father didn't speak the same language when it comes to politics.
See also: language, same, speak
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
speak the same language
Understand one another very well, agree with each other, as in Negotiations went on for days, but finally both sides realized they weren't speaking the same language . This term, alluding to literal understanding of spoken words, dates from the late 1800s.
See also: language, same, speak
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
speak the same language
If people speak the same language, they have the same views about things or want to achieve the same things. Like Castle, Wilson had been brought up in a similar way, and they spoke the same language. We have to make sure that the seller and the customer are both speaking the same language.
See also: language, same, speak
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
speak the same language
understand one another as a result of shared opinions and values. 1990 New Age Journal I translate between Greenpeace-speak and record industry-speak, because the two groups just don't speak the same language.
See also: language, same, speak
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
speak the same language, to
To understand one another perfectly. Figuratively, this term dates from the late nineteenth century. Joseph Conrad used it in Victory (1915): “You seem to be a morbid, senseless sort of bandit. We don’t speak the same language.” See also on the same page.
See also: same, speak
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- speak the same language
- speak/talk the same/a different language
- under the thumb of (someone)
- under thumb
- under (one's) thumb
- under somebody's thumb
- under someone’s thumb
- under someone's thumb
- broom closet
- closet