talk English—use the language in conversation: The team leader was German with a funny northern German accent when she talked English. I could understand her very well. talk in English—have a discussion or conversation in English: The two ladies talked in English with Mr. Atwater, and I talked and laughed with the two children close […]
Talk down to someone vs Talk up to someone
talk down to someone—talk in a way that suggests that the speaker is superior: It’s unwise for a lecturer to talk down to his audience. talk up to someone— 1. be obsequious or super-respectful when talking to a person in a higher position, etc.: Don’t talk up to someone, as if they are better than […]
Talk double Dutch vs Talk like a Dutch uncle
talk double Dutch—be totally incomprehensible when speaking: Oh yea, there was a guy explaining the system—in English and people were just looking at him as if he was talking double Dutch. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound doubletalk—(also: doublespeak) use deliberately imprecise, ambiguous language to disguise the actual meaning: The […]
Talk big vs Talk small
talk big—(coll.) speak boastfully (also: talk large): “I hate to talk big,” I said, “but I’m not afraid of Steelgrave or a dozen like him in one package.” talk small —(also: talk small talk) make conversation about unimportant things: We talked small for awhile, avoiding the obvious topic at the fore of each of our […]
Talk at someone vs Talk to someone
talk at someone—speak to a person without paying attention to his reaction: I wish he could talk to the class in a more interesting way, instead of just talking at them as if they were not human. talk to someone—(also: talk with someone) 1. have a conversation with a person: “When you talk to the […]
Talk at large vs Talk large
talk at large—talk at length, with details: We have talked at large on the merits of the many different types of boats. talk large —(coll.) speak boastfully (also: talk big ): We will know soon enough if Mr. Johnson is going to continue to talk large and act small.
Talk about something vs Talking about something
talk about something—is used to emphasize the significance of the thing mentioned: Did you see the film last night? Talk about laugh! I’ve never laughed so much in my life. talking about something—(also: talking of something ) is used to introduce once again the subject that has just been mentioned: The weather affects how we […]
Tale that is told vs Twice-told tale
tale that is told—said of smth. gone by; of smth. which is over and done with: The path of history is strewn with dead civilizations. Today they are all as a tale that is told. twice-told tale—a hackneyed or trite story: To many of my readers all I have written will come as a twice-told […]
Taking one thing with another vs What with one thing and another
taking one thing with another—considering every aspect of the situation: Taking one thing with another, I should say that the press is slightly freer than it was. what with one thing and another—because of various duties, happenings, etc.: What with one thing and another I forgot to tell you we couldn’t come.
Taken up with something vs Taken with something
taken up with something— 1. busy or fully occupied with smth.: She discouraged Hughie from following her, saying vaguely that she would be taken up with the film festival. 2. finding smth. such as a thought, idea, etc. interesting or attractive: In the Russian revolution, the Mensheviks were totally taken up with the idea that […]
Taken up with someone vs Taken with someone
taken up with someone— 1. greatly attracted to a person: Hasan made a feast for the four friends who were taken up with him, and sent them away with handsome gifts. 2. (of an issue, question, etc.) discussed with or addressed by a person: All of these policies are sanctioned by Boris Yeltsin and need […]
Taken short vs Taken up short
taken short— 1. taken by surprise (being unprepared for smth.): They may have been taken short by the climate before reaching the Pacific. 2. said of a sudden need to go to the toilet: Simon was in such a terrible state of nerves that he had already been taken short twice. taken up short—interrupted in […]