69. Talking and communicating

talking at cross-purposes

talking about different things without realising it

the wrong end of the stick

not understood something in the correct way

can't get a word in edgeways

doesn't get a chance to speak because others are talking so much

can't make head or tail of

cannot understand at all

talks down

talks as if we were inferior

talking behind my back

saying negative things about me when I'm not there

small talk

purely social talk, nothing serious

talk shop

talk about work

talking point

subject that everyone wants to talk about

give him a talking to

reproach/scold him / tell him off

start the ball rolling

start the discussion

To put it in a nutshell

say it in few words

get to the point

come to the important part of the matter

speak my mind

say exactly what I think

wrap up the discussion

finish the discussion

talks sense

says intelligent, reasonable things

talks rubbish

says stupid things

long-winded

says things in a long, indirect way