small talk

small talk

Trite, inconsequential, or benign conversation, usually engaged in with strangers or slight acquaintances out of a sense of politeness or social obligation. I dread small talk at parties, so I usually only hang around people I know. The small talk around the water cooler every Monday is always dreadfully boring. I always try to engage in a bit of small talk with all of my clients when I hold a seminar like this.
See also: small, talk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

small talk

Casual or trivial conversation, chitchat, as in We stood around making small talk until the guest of honor arrived. The small in this expression alludes to unimportant subjects of conversation, as opposed to serious or weighty ones. [Mid-1700s]
See also: small, talk
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

(make) ˈsmall talk

(take part in) polite conversation about unimportant things: Maria introduced me to her parents, and we sat there making small talk for a while.
See also: small, talk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • How about this weather?
  • engage in small talk
  • What do you think of this weather?
  • stock answer
  • not a spark of decency
  • basic decency
  • decency
  • a polite fiction
  • fiction
  • common decency
References in periodicals archive
Louise Redknapp has opened up about her personal turmoil in a new track called Small Talk
| Gaby Roslin is supporting the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign developed by Samaritans, British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry, that aims to empower people to act to help prevent suicide on the railways and beyond.
Banter can be counter-productive, too, if it's forced laughter and laboured joviality, especially when it has nothing to do with the news and it comes across as phony.Anchors must remain sober and serious at all times even as they engage in small talk.
We are making small talk at our coffee cart in the hope train commuters will make their own small talk - and possibly save lives."
Small Talk is the story of two, mid-life sister's who take a poorly planned road trip to Ireland.
In our society it is just polite and natural to start a conversation with small talk. It can be perceived as rude to skip this step.
But they, like the other guests, are trapped in a hell of polite small talk and a stew that's going dry.
no small talk, no momentous revelations, not a blink
Prepare a couple of "small talk" topics in advance.
Rosie Jackson I WOULD feel awkward if the hairdresser didn't make small talk Zoe Jenkins I FEEL very uncomfortable at hairdressers so avoid going.
FROM your plans for the weekend to your next holiday - with a trip to the hair salon often comes a lot of small talk.
To get a better feel for the rhythms and niceties of small talk, practice it on a daily basis.
I'm having the pleasure of reading Amy Julia Becker's newest book, small talk. I expect you will enjoy it as well.
Of particular interest are the discourse strategies the doctor uses to create a more relaxed environment for patients, within this medical genre, through small talk.