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Glite Dictionary
to get a word in edgewise

to get a word in edgewise

8 8.1
Find a chance to say something when others keep talking
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : interrumpir
  • You can never get a word in edgewise.
  • let me get a word in edgewise
  • hardly get a word in edgewise
  • never get a word in edgewise

And at the very end, when I guess allowed them to get a word in edgewise, the first thing Christie said was, I now have the perfect word for you.

Examples

Synonyms

to chime in
vsto get a word in edgewise
  • Informal
40 4.3

To make a short comment during a conversation

succeeds despite others speaking continuously rather than joining easily
to toss in
vsto get a word in edgewise
  • Informal
7 4.4

To add a short comment during a conversation

is used when someone succeeds despite others talking nonstop rather than casual remark

Antonyms

to be quiet
231 1.0

To stop making noise or talking

to stay out of it
56 3.8

To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight

How Much

to interrupt
909 2.5
to speak up
  • Informal
135 3.1
to chime in
  • Informal
40 4.3
to get a word in edgewise
  • Informal
8 8.1
silent
397 1.0

Surface Forms

get a word in edgewise infinitive
getting a word in edgewise present participle
gets a word in edgewise third person singular
got a word in edgewise past
got a word in edgewise past participle

Morphology

get + a + word + in + edgewise

Knowing 'get' + 'a word' + 'in' gives a B1 learner a plausible sense of managing to insert a remark, so there is a clear compositional cue. However, 'edgewise' is lexicalized and metaphorical and the exact phrasing ('get a word in edgewise') is idiomatic and not fully predictable from the parts, so learners are unlikely to infer the exact meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Get a word in edgewise may come from the image of trying to get a word in edgewise, like slipping a thin coin into the narrow edge of a gap while other people talk. So, it means to manage to 'join a conversation' or say something when everyone else is talking without stopping.