These three micro-dictations all contain the expression ‘to get a word in edgeways’. Complete each exercise, and then try to guess the meaning/usage of the expression from the context.
Dictation #1
Accent: Ireland
Dictation #2
Accent: Australia
…feedback on their pitch…
A pitch is a speech or presentation with which you are attempting to convince someone to purchase or invest in something. e.g. I listened to his pitch but I wasn’t very impressed. We can also use this as a verb, to pitch something to someone, e.g. I pitched my idea to her and she seemed very keen to find out more.
Dictation #3
Accent: Scotland
to get a word in edgeways: meaning 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.
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