🗓️ Idiom: Talk (Something) Over (v)
💬 Meaning
- To discuss an issue, plan, or problem thoroughly before making a decision.
- To review options and weigh pros and cons in a conversation with others.
🧠 Example Sentences
- Before we decide on the contract, let’s talk it over with the legal team.
- They talked the proposal over for hours and finally agreed on the terms.
- I need to talk this offer over with my partners before giving you an answer.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase likely comes from the notion of “turning something over” in one’s mind, then sharing and examining those thoughts aloud with others. It has been used in English since the 1600s to describe collaborative discussion before action.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
We should _________ the new policy ____ with HR before implementing it.
Answer
talk (the new policy) over
2. Choose the correct meaning of “talk something over”:
A) To ignore an issue until later
B) To discuss thoroughly before deciding
C) To speak at length without conclusion
Answer
B) To discuss thoroughly before deciding
3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:
“Let’s discuss the budget with the finance department before we proceed.” → Change the sentence using: talk something over
Answer
Let’s talk the budget over with the finance department before we proceed.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
👉 Negotiation Idioms
👉 Business English Idioms List
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