small talk


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small talk

Trite, inconsequential, or benign conversation, usually engaged in with strangers or slight acquaintances out of a sense of politeness or social obligation. I dread small talk at parties, so I usually only hang around people I know. The small talk around the water cooler every Monday is always dreadfully boring. I always try to engage in a bit of small talk with all of my clients when I hold a seminar like this.
See also: small, talk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

small talk

Casual or trivial conversation, chitchat, as in We stood around making small talk until the guest of honor arrived. The small in this expression alludes to unimportant subjects of conversation, as opposed to serious or weighty ones. [Mid-1700s]
See also: small, talk
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.

(make) ˈsmall talk

(take part in) polite conversation about unimportant things: Maria introduced me to her parents, and we sat there making small talk for a while.
See also: small, talk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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