Meaning of get a word in edgeways | Babel Free

Definitions

Forma verbal. Verb. [C2]

Examples

“The baggage-camel had been bobbing his head to and from for some time past, anxious to get a word in edgeways.”

“I sat there, letting his voice run on. Even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't have gotten a word in edgeways. Perhaps if life continued thi way, I would gradually lose the faculty of speech, [...]”

“I only included the interview because it is revealing of Javanese gender relationships. The young dancer is muted and hardly gets a word in edgeways, as the (male) troupe leader and her mother hijack each question and provide answers which are sometimes contradictory.”

“Stanton stood up. It seemed the only way of getting a word in edgeways.”

“Betsy rang me every now and then, but I couldn't get caught up in the 'fight' like she did. Besides, if I got a word in edgeways during each call I'd be lucky.”

“Rishi Sunak:[…]You want to be Prime Minister, how would you resolve the strikes? Keir Starmer: I wish he had as much— (cut off) RS: How would you resolve them? KS: I wish he had as much to say when Liz Truss was crashing the economy. Julie Etchingham: Can you answer Rishi Sunak's point please, Keir Starmer? KS: Well I will if I could get a word in edgeways. His record is him saying, "I'm not going to get in the room to negotiate" […]”

CEFR level