get a word in edgewise
To speak or express one's opinion despite other people dominating the conversation (hence the image of squeezing words in "edgewise"—sideways). Usually used in negative constructions to convey the opposite. When Mary paused in her monologue, I was finally able to get a word in edgewise about my own weekend! The third-tier candidate couldn't get a word in edgewise at the debate. The date was pretty boring. She just blathered on the whole evening, and I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
not get a word in edgewise
To be unable to speak or make one's opinion known due to one or more people dominating the conversation. The third-tier candidate couldn't get a word in edgewise at the debate. I can never get a word in edgewise when Mary comes to the book club—she just never stops talking.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways
Fig. to manage to say something when other people are talking and ignoring you. (Often in the negative. Alludes to trying to "squeeze" a word into a running conversation.) It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgewise. Mary talks so fast that nobody can get a word in edgeways.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get a word in edgewise
Also, get a word in edgeways. Insert oneself into a conversation or express one's opinion despite competition from other speakers. For example, So many people had questions for the lecturer that it was hard to get a word in edgewise, or Nancy loves to talk, and I couldn't get a word in edgeways. This idiom, often put in the negative, transfers an object with its edge foremost to inserting conversation. [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.