get a word in —(also: get in a word) succeed in saying smth. when other people are talking ignoring you:
- You are so hotheaded and exclamatory that I cannot get a word in.
Cf.: get a word in edgewise—used as an emphatic variant of the former:
- I want to ask him about the book, but it’s a little hard to get a word in edgewise. Everyone’s animated and talking all at once.
put a word in —(also: put in a word)
1. contribute an utterance to a conversation:
- He seemed oblivious to the fact that Picard had been trying to put a word in for the past minute or two.
2. speak in support of smb.; recommend a person:
- You may depend upon my putting in a word for you whenever I can.