To get a word in edgeways

Business English | C1

Examples and explanation

to get a word in edgeways = to have an opportunity to speak or contribute to a discussion.

This idiom is almost always used in a negative way, to describe situations in which it is hard or impossible to speak because someone else is dominating the conversation. Because they speak so much or so constantly, it is difficult or impossible for others to speak or contribute. e.g. I wanted to ask a question but it was just impossible to get a word in edgeways.

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Accent: Ireland