able to get a word in edgewise

able to get a word in edgewise

Able to speak despite other people dominating the conversation (hence the image of squeezing words in "edgewise"—sideways). Usually used negative constructions. When Mary came up for air in her monologue, I was finally able to get a word in edgewise about my own weekend! The third-tier candidate wasn't able to 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.

See also: able, edgewise, get, to, word

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.