on speaking terms - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

1,076,017,262 visitors served.

TheFreeDictionary Google

Word / Article Starts with Ends with Text

Financial
dictionary

Wikipedia
encyclopedia

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.Since I've changed the def., I can't see that the etym. makes any sense to include; shd go at "terms"; am combining this w/existing entry there.--SL, 1/03

Etymology: from the literal meaning of speaking terms (= a relationship in which people will talk to each other)

See also: speaking, term

? References in classic literature
When these symptoms had in some degree subsided, the gentlemen who were on speaking terms with Sir Matthew Pupker, or the two other members, crowded round them in three little groups, near one or other of which the gentlemen who were NOT on speaking terms with Sir Matthew Pupker or the two other members, stood lingering, and smiling, and rubbing their hands, in the desperate hope of something turning up which might bring them into notice. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens, Charles View in context On speaking terms with thousands, on fellowship and drinking terms with hundreds, he was a lonely man. Burning Daylight by London, Jack View in context Thorpe, most happy to be on speaking terms with a man of General Tilney's importance, had been joyfully and proudly communicative; and being at that time not only in daily expectation of Morland's engaging Isabella, but likewise pretty well resolved upon marrying Catherine himself, his vanity induced him to represent the family as yet more wealthy than his vanity and avarice had made him believe them. Northanger Abbey by Austen, Jane View in context More results

When these symptoms had in some degree subsided, the gentlemen who were on speaking terms with Sir Matthew Pupker, or the two other members, crowded round them in three little groups, near one or other of which the gentlemen who were NOT on speaking terms with Sir Matthew Pupker or the two other members, stood lingering, and smiling, and rubbing their hands, in the desperate hope of something turning up which might bring them into notice.

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens, Charles View in context

On speaking terms with thousands, on fellowship and drinking terms with hundreds, he was a lonely man.

Burning Daylight by London, Jack View in context

Thorpe, most happy to be on speaking terms with a man of General Tilney's importance, had been joyfully and proudly communicative; and being at that time not only in daily expectation of Morland's engaging Isabella, but likewise pretty well resolved upon marrying Catherine himself, his vanity induced him to represent the family as yet more wealthy than his vanity and avarice had made him believe them.

Northanger Abbey by Austen, Jane View in context

More results

TheFreeDictionary Google

Word / Article Starts with Ends with Text

Free Tools:	For surfers: Browser extension \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.. Terms of Use.