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speaking
speak a mile a minute
To speak in a very quick or hurried manner; to talk very fast. When the boss gets excited, she starts speaking a mile a minute, and I can never follow everything she's trying to say!
speak by the card
To speak with accuracy and exactness. The "card" in this now-obsolete phrase might have referred to a sea chart, which was considered very precise. I always trust a man who speaks by the card—it inspires great confidence.
speak daggers
To speak harshly or maliciously, so as to hurt the listener. I can't stand to be around my mother these days—she's always speaking daggers because she's so miserable. I will speak daggers to my enemy when I see him at the debate.
speak in circles
To talk about something in an indirect or confusing way that is hard for the listener to follow. As journalists, we need to ask the important questions and keep these politicians from speaking in circles. A: "What's new with Mary?" B: "I have no idea because she spoke in circles the whole time."
speak well for
1. To show support or vouch for someone. I can speak well for Ted, I've known him for years.
2. To act as proof of something. I think she would make a great model—her grace and poise speak well for her.
be (not) on speaking terms
To have an amicable, although perhaps guarded or superficial, relationship with someone. This phrase is often used in the negative to show that two people are estranged. It took a long time, but my ex-husband and I are finally on speaking terms these days. After that argument last night, I'm not on speaking terms with Stephanie. I don't know Kyle that well, but we're on speaking terms, and he seems nice enough.
on speaking terms (with someone)
on friendly terms with someone. (Often with the negative.) I'm not on speaking terms with Mary. We had a serious disagreement. We're not on speaking terms.
speaking for oneself
an expression indicating that one is expressing only one's own opinion. Speaking for myself, I am ready to cancel the contract. Sally is speaking for herself. She is not expressing our opinions.
speaking (quite) candidly
an expression introducing a frank or forthright statement. "speaking quite candidly, I find your behavior a bit offensive," stated Frank, obviously offended. Mary: Tell me what you really think about this skirt. Sally: speaking candidly, I think you should get your money back.
(speaking) (quite) frankly
and frankly speakinga transitional phrase announcing that the speaker is going to talk in a more familiar and totally forthright manner. Tom: Speaking quite frankly, I'm not certain she's the one for the job. Mary: l agree. Bob: We ought to be looking at housing in a lower price bracket. Bill: Quite frankly, lagree. "Frankly speaking," said John, "I think you're out of your mind!"
in a manner of speaking
this is one way to say it
so to speak “We should go south.” “So that means I should turn left?” “In a manner of speaking, yes.” She was, in a manner of speaking, not at her best – in fact, she was exhausted and had the flu. Usage notes: sometimes used to suggest that something unpleasant is being described in a more pleasant way
speaking as somebody
with the experience of this type of person What would you like to see happen, speaking as a someone who has lived in the area for a long time?
speaking of something
(spoken) related to the subject being discussed
Casey is at a birthday party – speaking of birthdays, Abe's is Friday. Usage notes: used to introduce a slightly different subject
strictly speaking
if I want to be completely accurate in what I am saying They're still married, strictly speaking, but they've been living apart for years.
on speaking terms
friendly enough to talk
We have heard from various people that the coach is barely on speaking terms with his best pitcher. Usage notes: often used in the form not on speaking terms: The two nations have not been on speaking terms for a couple of decades.
be speaking/talking out of both sides of your mouth
(American) to say different things about the same subject when you are with different people in order to always please the people you are with How can we trust any politicians when we know they're speaking out of both sides of their mouths?
not be on speaking terms
to be refusing to talk to someone because you have had an argument and are still angry with them (often + with ) She's not on speaking terms with her ex-husband. Jeanette and her mother haven't been on speaking terms since the wedding.
See be speaking out of both sides of mouthin a manner of speaking
In a way; so to speak. For example, He was, in a manner of speaking, asked to leave the group. [Late 1800s]
on speaking terms
1. Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks, as in We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors.
2. Ready and willing to communicate, not alienated or estranged. For example, We are on speaking terms again after the quarrel. Both senses of this idiom commonly occur in the negative, as in Brett and his brother haven't been on speaking terms for years. The idiom was first recorded in 1786.
in a manner of speaking
In a way; so to speak.
on speaking terms
1. Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks: We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors.
2. Ready and willing to communicate; not alienated or estranged.