A. Idioms connected with communication problems

B. Good talk, bad talk

The boss always talks down to us. [talks as if we were inferior]

My workmates are always talking behind my back. [saying negative things about me when I’m not there]

It was just small talk, nothing more, I promise. [purely social talk, nothing serious]

Let’s sit somewhere else; they always talk shop over lunch, and it bores me rigid. [talk about work]

Hey! Your new friend’s become a real talking point among the staff! [subject that everyone wants to talk about]

It’s gone too far this time. I shall have to give him a talking to. [reproach/scold him / tell him off]

C. Talk in discussions, meetings, etc.

• ¹ start the discussion
• ² say it in few words
• ³ come to the important part of the matter
• ⁴ say exactly what I think
• ⁵ finish the discussion
• ⁶ says intelligent, reasonable things
• ⁷ says stupid things
• ⁸ says things in a long, indirect way