get a word in edgewise
To break into or participate in a conversation, especially where there is much…To break into or participate in a conversation, especially where there is much interruption by other speakers.
» I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
CK · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
1 senses(US, derogatory, usually)To break into or participate in a conversation, especially where there is much interruption by other speakers.
Everyone was talking at once. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
ins Wort fallen
вста́вить сло́воvstávitʹ slóvo, вкли́нитьсяvklínitʹsja
Examples
10 sentencesI couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Tom kept talking and didn't let Mary get a word in edgewise.
ruТом продолжал говорить и не давал Мэри вставить ни слова. — Wezzel
deTom redete und redete und ließ Maria gar nicht zu Worte kommen. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Tom couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Everyone was talking at once, so I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Tom won't let anyone get a word in edgewise.
Translations
7 languagesOrigin
The use of the word edgewise or edgeways (“with the edge facing in the direction of movemeThe use of the word edgewise or edgeways (“with the edge facing in the direction of movement”) is metaphorical, suggesting that the gap or opportunity for a person to speak is very slim.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
gets a word in edgewise, getting a word in edgewise, got a word in edgewise, got a word in edgewise| Base form | get a word in edgewise · to get a word in edgewise |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | gets a word in edgewise |
| Present participle | getting a word in edgewise |
| Past simple | got a word in edgewise |
| Past participle | got a word in edgewise / gotten a word in edgewise |
irregular · Lesson
Present simpleLesson
| I, you, we, they | get a word in edgewise |
| he, she, it | gets a word in edgewise |
Past simpleLesson
| all persons | got a word in edgewise |
Present perfectLesson
| I, you, we, they | have got a word in edgewise |
| he, she, it | has got a word in edgewise |
Future simple (will)Lesson
| all persons | will get a word in edgewise |
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle
See also
neighbours in the dictionaryDictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.