talk shop

talk shop

1. verb To discuss one's trade or job in depth, especially with someone who is in the same profession. Jane and I got to talking shop about her new quilting business. My husband is a teacher, and whenever he gets together with his coworkers, they do nothing but talk shop the whole time.
2. noun A group or gathering that spends more time, effort, and resources on discussing policy or possible actions than actually doing anything meaningful. People have criticized the summit as a mere talk shop, since it is not legally binding for the countries that participate in it.
See also: shop, talk

talking shop

A group or organization that spends far more time, effort, and resources on discussing policy or possible actions than actually doing anything meaningful. Primarily heard in UK. People have long criticised these inquiries as being nothing but talking shops, since their recommendations have no legal authority. To be honest, I think a talking shop is what we need at the moment—a chance for these groups to discuss their positions in person, rather than behind the poisonous anonymity of social media.
See also: shop, talk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

talk shop

to talk about business or work matters at a social event (where such talk is out of place). All right, everyone, we're not here to talk shop. Let's have a good time. Mary and Jane stood by the punch bowl, talking shop.
See also: shop, talk
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

talk shop

Converse about one's business or profession, as in Whenever John and his dad get together, they talk shop. [Mid-1800s]
See also: shop, talk
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

talk shop

If people who do the same kind of work talk shop, they talk to each other about their work. Although I get on well with my colleagues, if we hang around together all the time we just end up talking shop. Excuse me talking shop, Sara. Note: You can use the noun shop talk to describe this type of conversation. Conversation over dinner began with catching up on family matters, then turned to shop talk. Note: These expressions are often used to suggest that this is boring for other people who are present and who do not do the same work.
See also: shop, talk
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

talk shop

discuss matters concerning your work, especially in circumstances where this is inappropriate.
1990 G. Gordon Liddy The Monkey Handlers Lawyers talk shop, bounce ideas off one another all the time.
See also: shop, talk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

talk ˈshop

talk about your work or business in a social situation with somebody who works with you: Are you two talking shop again? Why don’t you forget business for a while and come and meet my friends? ▶ ˈshop talk noun: We’ve discussed more intimate things than just shop talk.
See also: shop, talk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

talk shop

To talk about one's work.
See also: shop, talk
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • talking shop
  • dog
  • dogg
  • dogs
  • drop
  • drop someone
  • dropped
  • check out
  • check out, to
  • checkout
References in periodicals archive
In fact, the focus group is a device intent on giving the air of activity and vitality, whereas clearly it is as big a talk shop as the New Labour cabinet itself.
Flimsy promises from Labour
Since Nick never ate lunch, Agnew had Chuck bring jogging clothes to WPAFB and they could talk shop at noon, any time Chuck had some new ideas.
Peg "Scrooge" Gavit reminded me that the Buffalo folks have been staunch supporters of the AOC for many years. (Around the Circuit)
CEOs who previously interfaced with their contemporaries on golf courses and tennis courts would now talk shop in corporate sweat lodges in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.
Is this a man's world?
All he could say was "he did not want to talk shop".
Letter: Your Say - Mayor moans
It was a good choice of sport for Williams, with many duckless hours in which to talk shop and a lower level of frustration than golf.
The Lobbyists
Minister Kelleher said he is determined the new body will not just be a "talk shop" and will instead play an important role in helping growing businesses by increasing exports.
Trade plan 'can save economy' EXPORTS