talk

Word family  noun talk talks talker adjective talkative verb talk

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++talk1 /tɔːk $ tɒːk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb  1  conversation 谈话 [intransitive]TALK TO somebody to say things to someone as part of a conversation 谈话，交谈 I could hear Sarah and Andy talking in the next room. 我听到萨拉和安迪在隔壁讲话。talk about English people love to talk about the weather. 英格兰人喜欢谈论天气。 All through the afternoon, they sat and talked about their trip. 整个下午他们都坐着谈论他们的旅程。talk to She spent a long time talking to him. 她和他谈了很长时间。 She’s very easy to talk to. 她很容易交流。talk with I got the truth from talking with Elena. 和埃琳娜交谈后我知道了真相。talk together They were talking together in the hall. 他们在大厅里相互交谈。 Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other). 休和鲍勃仍然互不理睬。talk in a low voice/a whisper etc They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying. 他们在轻声交谈，我听不清楚他们在说些什么。talk of (=used especially in formal or literary contexts) 〔尤用于正式或文学语境〕 We talked of old times. 我们谈到了过去的时光。2  serious subject 严肃话题 [intransitive, transitive]TALK TO somebody to discuss something serious or important with someone 讨论，商谈 Joe, we need to talk. 乔，我们得谈谈。 Is there somewhere we can talk in private? 有什么地方我们可以去私下谈谈吗？talk to You should talk to a lawyer. 你应该咨询律师。talk about We’ve been talking about getting married. 我们在谈结婚的事了。talk with Parents should talk with their children about drug abuse. 父母应该和孩子谈论吸毒问题。talk sport/politics/business etc ‘Let’s not talk politics now, ’ said Hugh impatiently. “我们现在别谈政治了。”休不耐烦地说。 RegisterIn written English, people usually say that they are going to discuss, deal with, or address a subject rather than talk about it: 在书面英语中，表示讨论一个话题时，人们一般用discuss，deal with或address，而不用talk aboutIn this essay I will discuss the problem of over-population. 本文中，我将探讨人口过多的问题。3  say words 说话 [intransitive] to produce words and express thoughts, opinions, ideas etc 说话 She was talking so fast I could hardly understand her. 她说得太快，我几乎听不懂。 How do babies learn to talk? 婴儿是如何学说话的？ Some residents were frightened to talk publicly. 有些居民害怕在众目睽睽下开口说话。talk (in) French/German etc They started talking in Spanish. 他们开始用西班牙语交谈。 Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way). 不要让爸爸听到你这样说话。4  a speech 演讲 [intransitive]TALK/MAKE A SPEECH to give a speech 演讲talk on/about Professor Davis will talk about ‘Trends in Network Computing’. 戴维斯教授将谈谈“网络信息技术的趋势”。5  secret information 秘密情报 [intransitive]TELL A SECRET if someone who has secret information talks, they tell someone else about it 说出内情，吐露秘密 Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk. 即使在酷刑之下，马斯克尔还是拒不开口。 He tried to stop his ex-wife from talking on live TV. 他试图阻止他的前妻上电视直播节目去讲出内情。 We should stop meeting like this. People will talk. 我们别再这样见面了，人们会说闲话的。6  talk sense/rubbish/nonsense etc spoken used to say that you think someone is saying something sensible, something stupid etc 说得有理/说废话等 You do talk rubbish sometimes, Jules. 朱尔斯，你确实有说废话的时候。7  talk (some) sense into somebody PERSUADEto persuade someone to behave sensibly 说服某人能通情达理 She hoped Father McCormack would be able to talk some sense into her son. 她希望麦科马克神父能够劝导她儿子。8  talk to yourself to say your thoughts out loud 自言自语 ‘What did you say?’ ‘Sorry, I was just talking to myself.’ “你说什么？”“对不起，我只是自言自语。”9  know what you are talking about spokenKNOW something to know a lot about a particular subject 对…很了解，是…的行家 I worked in hotels for years, so I know what I’m talking about. 我曾在酒店工作多年，所以对这一行很了解。10. talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey informalSPEAK A LANGUAGE to talk a lot, especially about unimportant things 唠叨个没完没了11  talk about lazy/cheap/hungry etc VERY spoken used to emphasize that someone or something is very lazy, cheap, hungry etc 真是懒惰/便宜/饿等 Talk about lucky. That’s the second time he’s won this week! 真是运气好，这已经是他本周第二次赢了！12  talking of/about something MENTION spoken used to say more about a subject that someone has just mentioned 谈到，论及〔用于承接刚才的话题〕 Talking of Venice, have you seen the masks I bought there last year? 说到威尼斯，你看到过我去年在那儿买的面具吗？13  what are you talking about? spoken used when you think what someone has said is stupid or wrong 你（们）在说些什么？〔用来指对方说的话愚蠢或错误〕 What are you talking about? We got there in plenty of time. 你在说些什么？我们很早就到那儿了。14  I’m talking to you! spoken used when you are angry that the person you are talking to is not paying attention 我在和你说话呢！〔用来表示因对方未注意你说话而生气〕 Rob! I’m talking to you! 罗布！我在和你说话呢！15. be like talking to a brick wall spoken used to say that it is annoying to speak to someone because they do not pay attention to you 就像跟木头说话，好像在对牛弹琴16. talk somebody’s ear off American English spoken to talk too much to someone 对某人唠叨不休17  talk trash American English informal to say rude or offensive things to or about someone, especially to opponents in a sports competition 〔尤指对体育比赛中的对手〕谩骂，侮辱 Both teams were talking trash on the court. 两队在球场上互相谩骂。18  talk the talk American English informal to say the things that people expect or think are necessary in a particular situation 说该说的话 She didn’t talk the talk of feminism, but her career was the most important thing in her life. 她并没有把女权主义挂在嘴上，但事业的确是她生命中最重要的事情。 → walk the walk at walk1(12)19  I’m/we’re/you’re talking (about) something spoken used in conversation to emphasize a fact or remind someone of it 我/我们/你是在说…〔用于强调、提醒等〕 I’m not talking about ancient history, I’m talking about last season’s performance. 我可不是在谈陈年旧事，我是在说上一个赛季的表现。20  now you’re talking spokenAGREE used to say that you think someone’s suggestion is a good idea 这就对了，太对了，正合我意 ‘Fancy an ice cream?’ ‘Now you’re talking.’ “想来一个冰激凌吗？”“正合我意！”21  look who’s talking, look who’s talking  (also you’re a fine one to talk, you can talk) spokenCRITICIZE used to tell someone they should not criticize someone else’s behaviour because their own behaviour is just as bad 亏你有脸说别人 ‘Peggy shouldn’t smoke so much.’ ‘Look who’s talking!’ “佩姬不应该抽那么多烟。” “你倒好意思说！”22  we’re/you’re talking £500/three days etc spoken used to tell someone how much something will cost, how long something will take to do etc 500英镑/三天等是必要的〔用来告知对方需要花多少钱、多少时间等〕 To do a proper job, you’re talking £750 minimum. 要想把活儿干得像样一点，最少要花750英镑。23  talk your way out of something informalESCAPE to escape from a bad or embarrassing situation by giving explanations, excuses etc 依靠口才使自己摆脱〔困境〕 She’s good at talking her way out of trouble. 她擅长凭着巧舌为自己开脱。24. talk nineteen to the dozen British English informal, talk a blue streak American English informalSPEAK A LANGUAGE to talk very quickly without stopping 说话滔滔不绝，口若悬河25  talk in riddles to deliberately talk in a strange and confusing way 打哑谜 Stop talking in riddles and explain what’s going on. 别打哑谜了，解释一下到底发生了什么。26  talk tough (on something) informalTELL/ORDER somebody TO DO something to give people your opinions very strongly （对某事）说话口气强硬 The president is talking tough on crime. 总统对犯罪活动态度强硬。27  talk shop if people talk shop, they talk about their work when there are people present who are not interested or involved in it – used to show disapproval 〔在不感兴趣或无关的人面前〕谈工作〔含贬义〕 Are you two going to talk shop all night? 你们两个人就准备整晚都谈工作吗？28. talk dirty (to somebody) informalSYSEX/HAVE SEX WITH to talk in a sexual way to someone in order to make them feel sexually excited （对某人）说下流话，说挑逗的话〔以使某人性兴奋〕29. be talking through your hat British English informalSTUPID/NOT SENSIBLE if someone is talking through their hat, they say stupid things about something that they do not understand 信口开河，胡说八道30. talk smack American English informal to criticize someone or something in an unpleasant way 令人不快地批评〔某人或某事〕31. talk to the hand spoken informal used to tell someone rudely that you do not want to listen to anything he or she is going to say to you. When people use this expression, they also usually turn their face away from the other person and hold the palm of their hand out towards them. 我不想听，别再说了〔粗鲁地告诉别人你不想再听他或她说话，这么说时通常把脸转向一边，把手心朝向对方〕n GRAMMAR: Patterns with talk• Two people talk: We’ll talk later.• You talk to someone: I’ll talk to you later. ✗Don’t say: I’ll talk you later.• You talk with someone: I’ve talked with her teacher.• You talk about something or talk about doing something: He talked about his feelings.We talked about changing the system. ✗Don’t say: He talked his feelings.• In formal or literary English, you talk of something or of doing something: She’s talking of leaving.• You talk in a particular type of voice: She was talking in a really loud voice. THESAURUStalk to use words to communicate with someone about something 交谈I need to talk to you about your work. 我得跟你谈谈你的工作。She always enjoyed talking to Jim. 她总是喜欢跟吉姆交谈。Can we talk? 我们谈谈行吗？speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language 交谈（较talk稍正式。常用于指某人的说话方式，或表示为了做成某事和某人谈谈。表示“说某种语言”只用speak〕He spoke with confidence and authority. 他说话时带着自信和威严。nShe was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone.I’d like to speak to the manager. 我想跟经理谈谈。Do you speak German? 你会说德语吗？go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored 〔令人厌烦地〕滔滔不绝地说He went on about how great the team was. 他不停地唠叨那支球队多么了不起。I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work. 我不啰嗦了，让你继续干活。waffle /ˈwɒfəl/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important 胡扯I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point! 我希望他不要胡扯下去，直接说要点！prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things 〔喋喋不休地〕胡扯She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey. 整个旅程中，她尽闲扯她男友的事。nWhat’s he prattling on about now?to talk about everyday things 谈论日常事务have a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things 交谈She was having a conversation with one of her friends. 她在同一个朋友说话。When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation). 我到的时候，乔和简正聊得起劲。nI can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important 闲聊The girls were chatting outside the house. 女孩们在屋外聊天。It’s been nice having a chat with you. 跟你聊天真开心。gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true 说三道四What are you two gossiping about? 你们俩在闲聊什么？visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone 和某人聊天I visited with him last week. 上星期我跟他聊了会儿。converse formal to have a conversation with someone 交谈We met once and conversed briefly. 我们见过一次，并有过简短交谈。to talk seriously 严肃地谈论discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans 讨论They met to discuss how the building should be designed. 他们见面讨论如何设计大楼。She refuses to discuss the matter. 她拒绝讨论此事。talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you 〔尤与亲近的人〕讨论某事Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family. 接受那份工作之前与家人商量一下。You two need to sit down and talk things over. 你们俩需要坐下来谈谈。debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem 〔为作出决定或解决问题而〕辩论，讨论The issue will be debated on Tuesday. 这个问题将在周二讨论。The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions. 联合国安理会商讨是否实行制裁。 PHRASAL VERBS32 talk around/round phrasal verb British English a) talk somebody around/roundPERSUADE to persuade someone to change their opinion about something 说服某人改变主意 Leave Betty to me. I’ll soon talk her round. 把贝蒂交给我吧。我会很快让她改变主意的。b) talk around/round somethingDISCUSS to discuss a problem without really dealing with the important parts of it 不着边际[不得要领]地谈某事 They had spent half the night talking round the subject. 他们大半个晚上都在不着边际地谈论这个话题。33.talk back phrasal verb ANSWER/REPLYto answer someone in authority such as a teacher or parent in a rude or impolite way 回嘴，顶嘴34 talk somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb a) CRITICIZE British English to make something seem less successful, interesting, good etc than it really is 〔以言辞〕贬损，贬低 the pessimists who are talking down Britain 贬低英国的悲观主义者b) TTAto help a pilot land an aircraft by giving them instructions from the ground by radio 〔通过无线电〕引导〔飞行员〕安全着陆，引降35 talk down to somebody phrasal verb TALK TO somebodyto talk to someone as if they are stupid, although they are not 以高人一等的口气对〔某人〕说话 SYN patronize The students felt that they were talked down to as though they were children. 这些学生感到他们在接受训话，好像他们是小孩一样。36 talk somebody into something phrasal verb PERSUADEto persuade someone to do something 说服〔某人〕做〔某事〕talk somebody into doing something My husband talked me into going skiing. 我的丈夫说服我去滑雪。37 talk something ↔ out phrasal verb informal a) SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEMto discuss a problem thoroughly in order to solve it 透彻地讨论，通过商谈解决〔问题〕 We need to spend a little time talking this out. 我们需要花点时间谈谈，把这件事解决了。 with It might help if you talked it out with Dad. 如果你和爸爸好好谈谈这件事，可能会有用。b) British English if politicians talk out a proposal, they talk about it for a long time deliberately so that there will not be enough time to vote on it 拖延表决〔提议等〕 SYN filibuster The Land Protection Bill was talked out by MPs from rural areas. 土地保护议案被来自乡村的议员故意拖延而搁置了。38 talk somebody out of something phrasal verb PERSUADEto persuade someone not to do something 说服〔某人〕不去做〔某事〕talk somebody out of doing something Can’t you talk them out of selling the house? 难道你不能说服他们不要卖掉房子吗？39 talk something ↔ over phrasal verb DISCUSSto discuss a problem with someone before deciding what to do 〔在作出决定前与某人〕商量，讨论 with Talk over any worries with your GP. 把你的担心和全科医生谈一谈。40 talk through something phrasal verb a) talk something ↔ throughDISCUSS to discuss something thoroughly so that you are sure you understand it 把某事彻底说清楚 Allow time to talk through any areas of difficulty. 慢慢来，把困难的地方都讨论清楚。b) talk somebody through something to help someone understand a process, method etc by explaining it to them carefully before they use it 向某人详细解释某事，使某人理解某事 Trevor talked me through loading the software. 特雷弗向我仔细讲解了如何安装这个软件。n41 talk to something phrasal verb to tell people about or explain something that you have some knowledge of I can’t talk to the technical aspects of the proposal, but it sounds in general like a good idea.42 talk something ↔ up phrasal verb to make something appear more important, interesting, successful etc than it really is 过分夸奖，吹捧 Jones talked up the idea at the meeting. 琼斯在会议上大肆吹捧了这个想法。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

talk• Is this one of those birds that can talk?• Jerrod's only one year old and he's already starting to talk.• The suspect was questioned for two hours, but refused to talk.• Even after three days of interrogation, Maskell refused to talk.• He said he'd come back and kill me if I talked.• I think we need to talk.• If you have a problem at school, sit down and talk about it with your parents.• If you're having trouble at school, let's sit down and talk about it.• This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare's historical plays.• They talked about their favourite pop stars.• Please don't all talk at the same time.• Violence is avoided and talked down whenever possible.• In high school, we often got in trouble for talking in class.• Today they talk of doing so but they have yet to act.• two friends talking on the phone• Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar.• Powell talked to a group of industry leaders in Atlanta on Tuesday.• He walked along talking to himself.• Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.• It's as if I was talking to somebody.• Usually the people who want to talk to you are the people who have contributed to you.• It's been nice talking to you.• I left Mario talking with my mother.• If you need more money you should talk with Richard.• It's important to talk with your kids about drugs, alcohol, and sex.talk together• It was a story of memories and regrets and resolutions; a story of fathers and sons trying to talk together.• Only a moment since, as it seemed to him, they had all been talking together.• Oliver and Tim were talking together, Cobalt was waiting for his prey.• Gorbachev wrote that only he and Reagan, talking together, could resolve the questions he raised.• We talked together for about two hours.• When his friend comes, they talk together in this foreign language.• She didn't doubt that when Naseem and Nadia talked together they would accuse her of eating the egg.• They talked together whenever there was a halt.talk sport/politics/business etc• And the bloke on the other end of the phone said, I think we could talk business.• Both talking politics and feeling relatively unrestricted about with whom one can safely discuss politics are closely related to educational attainment.• After the debate, they dined on hamburgers and talked sports at a local joint before catching a train back to Washington.• But let's talk business for a moment, Oak.• If you should find the cottage more a liability than you had envisaged then we can perhaps talk business in the future.• Brent and Dad are talking sports, Mom and Cindi are watching the turkey.• The frequency of talking politics rises sharply from the primary to the secondary to the university levels in all five countries.• We do not, by unspoken consent, talk politics when we meet.talking like that• It was distressing to hear her talking like that.• It was their fault, coming with such tales to frighten her; and talking like that about the Nawab.• He'd only have to start talking like that and everything would blow up again and he was too tired for that.talk on/about• They would meet in her flat - the weekend away was still talked about although not realized.• The technical geniuses he is talking about are a drop in the bucket of the total immigration picture.• You can think about it, talk about it, write about it, dedicate your life to it.• a series of talks on linguistics• Are we talking about months or years?• He was careful to stress that he was talking about public ethics, not private ethics.• Prof. Simmons will talk on the benefits of genetic research.• Several of his most distinguished fellows talk about the sense of excitement with which he imbued the enterprise.• He suggests we talk about the witnesses.refused to talk• Questioned about other members of the association from Tanchon, my grandfather refused to talk.• The woman, who was described as mentally unstable, refused to talk about her reasons for the shooting.• Veronica's always refused to talk about it.• But when I was with her I refused to talk about the war.• The two families were so angry that they refused to talk or cooperate with the hospital personnel.• Finally, I just refused to talk, so he left me alone.• Durkheim was a very austere man who led a rigidly timetabled existence and refused to talk to his family except at mealtimes.• The tough-minded minister refused to talk with Eta during its ceasefire and is a popular cabinet member.talk2 ●●● S1 W1 noun  1  conversation 交谈 [countable]TALK TO somebody a conversation 交谈 After a long talk, we decided on divorce. 经过一次长谈后，我们决定离婚。 John, I’d like to have a talk with you. 约翰，我想和你谈谈。talk about We must have a talk about money. 我们必须谈谈钱的问题。2  DISCUSSION 讨论talks [plural]TALK TO somebodyDISCUSS formal discussions between governments, organizations etc 〔政府、机构等之间的〕正式会谈，谈判peace/trade etc talks The peace talks look promising. 和谈看起来形势乐观。 The president held talks with Chinese officials. 总统与中国官员举行了会谈。talks with Talks with the rebels have failed. 和叛乱分子的谈判破裂了。3  speech 讲话 [countable]TALK/MAKE A SPEECH a speech 讲话，演讲；讲座，报告 an entertaining talk 妙趣横生的演讲talk on/about a talk on local history 有关当地历史的演讲give/do/deliver a talk Dr Howard will give a talk on herbal medicine. 霍华德医生将作一个关于草药的报告。► see thesaurus at speech4  news 消息 [uncountable] information or news that people talk about and hear about a lot, but that is not official 小道消息，流言蜚语，传言talk of 〔尤用于正式或文学语境〕 Tickets sold so quickly there’s talk of a second concert. 票卖得很快，有传言说音乐会还会举办一场。talk of doing something the administration’s talk of reducing weapons 政府有关削减武器的传闻talk that There’s talk that she’s difficult to work with. 据传她这个人很难共事。just/only talk It’s just talk. He’ll never do it. 这只是传言，他决不会这么做的。5  type of conversation 说话的方式 [uncountable]TALK TO somebody type of conversation 说话的方式 That’s enough of that kind of talk. 够了，别再说那种话了。 persuasive sales talk 有说服力的推销套话 That’s fighting talk (=brave and confident words) from Italy’s manager. 那是意大利队主教练的豪言壮语。6. be all talk spokenBOASTDO something/TAKE ACTION someone who is all talk talks a lot about what they intend to do, but never actually does it 只说空话，只会空谈7  be the talk of the town/Paris etc RUMOUR/RUMORsomeone who is the talk of the town has done something bad, shocking, exciting etc and everyone is talking about them 成了镇上/巴黎等街谈巷议的话题 She’s the talk of London’s theatre-goers since her last performance. 她自从上次演出后就成了伦敦戏迷津津乐道的对象。8. talk is cheap used to say that you do not believe someone will do what they say 说起来容易 → pep talk, small talk, → idle talk at idle1(2), → pillow talk at pillow1(3)n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a conversationverbshave a talkI must have a talk with Frank before I leave.adjectivesa long talkI had a long talk with Nora this morning.a little talkI’m glad we’ve had this little talk.a serious talkBefore she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.a quiet/private talkShe asked if she could have a private talk.a good talk (=a long talk about important or interesting things)She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.a nice talkWe all had lunch together and a nice talk. n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: verbshave/hold talksHe called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.enter into talks (=start having talks)The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.talks beginTalks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.talks continue/are underwayTalks will continue through the weekend.talks break down/collapse (=stop because of disagreement)Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.talks resume/are resumedTalks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.talks endThe talks ended without a settlement being reached.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + talks peace talksAll four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.trade talksTrade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.high-level talks (=involving important people)The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.budget talksThe dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.direct talksThe president declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.bilateral talks (=involving two groups or countries)Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.round-table talks (=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way)An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.urgent talksThe prime minister called ministers together for urgent talks.crisis talks (=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous)The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.phrasesa round of talks (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process)A third round of talks was held in May.the breakdown/collapse of talksThe collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.

Examples from the Corpus

talk• A researcher from our division gave a talk today about recent advances in cancer treatment.• Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.• In those days there was always talk if two people lived together without being married.• "They say he's having an affair with a colleague at work." "That's just talk."• There's an interesting series of talks by well-known writers on the radio this week.• You should have heard Dr. Cooper's talk on his trip to India - it was fascinating.have a talk with• When he had rested for an hour or so, he decided to go and have a talk with June.• Anyway, he'd have a talk with Fiona, and of course Jean as well.• Dawn has asked to have a talk with me.• Well, he said when he left me he was going to have a talk with you.• Listen, John, you're going to have to have a talk with Marty.• He also signalled that he hoped to have talks with Zulu leaders, including Buthelezi, in the near future.• Meanwhile, before his meeting with Mr Clinton, the Prime Minister will have talks with senior members of the new administration.• I mean, we have a special relationship, and I was hoping that he would have talked with you about that.• Dalgliesh knew that no politician would have talked with such freedom unless he had had absolute confidence in his listener's discretion.talk on/about• Several of his most distinguished fellows talk about the sense of excitement with which he imbued the enterprise.• The technical geniuses he is talking about are a drop in the bucket of the total immigration picture.• You can think about it, talk about it, write about it, dedicate your life to it.• They would meet in her flat - the weekend away was still talked about although not realized.• He was careful to stress that he was talking about public ethics, not private ethics.• Are we talking about months or years?• He suggests we talk about the witnesses.just/only talk• I have really almost given up trying to discuss their poems, and just talk about poetry.• At school, you feel like your teachers are just talking at you.• There was no business, just talk, and talk was cheap.• I can only talk to other computers when they are within my range.• One can only talk with conviction to one's peers.• He should not just talk, but should act too.• I was only talking to myself.• Williams will only talk through his press office.fighting talk• It sounds like good fighting talk but, beyond the active birth arena, I wonder how accurate a picture it represents.• Where I come from that's fighting talk.• Today in the 1980s many Christians don't like this fighting talk.Origin talk1 (1200-1300) Probably from Old English talian “to count, consider, tell”

talk1 verb →10-19 →20-31
→n GRAMMAR1 →REGISTER1 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1talk2 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChinese  

of Corpus say part to someone as to things a

talk

I

talk¹ S1 W1 /tɔːk $ tɒːk/ verb1.  CONVERSATION  [intransitive] to say things to someone as part of a conversation:
    I could hear Sarah and Andy talking in the next room.
    talk about
    English people love to talk about the weather.
    All through the afternoon, they sat and talked about their trip.
    talk to
    She spent a long time talking to him.
    She’s very easy to talk to.
    talk with
    I got the truth from talking with Elena.
    talk together
    They were talking together in the hall.
    Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other).
    talk in a low voice/a whisper etc
    They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.
    talk of (=used especially in formal or literary contexts)
    We talked of old times.
2.  SERIOUS SUBJECT  [intransitive] to discuss something serious or important with someone:
    Joe, we need to talk.
    Is there somewhere we can talk in private?
    talk to
    You should talk to a lawyer.
    talk about
    We’ve been talking about getting married.
    talk with
    Parents should talk with their children about drug abuse.
    talk sport/politics/business etc
    ‘Let’s not talk politics now,’ said Hugh impatiently.
  REGISTER
    In written English, people usually say that they are going to discuss, deal with, or address a subject rather than talk about it:
   ▪ In this essay I will discuss the problem of over-population.
3.  SAY WORDS  [intransitive] to produce words and express thoughts, opinions, ideas etc:
    She was talking so fast I could hardly understand her.
    How do babies learn to talk?
    Some residents were frightened to talk publicly.
    talk (in) French/German etc
    They started talking in Spanish.
    Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way).
4.  A SPEECH  [intransitive] to give a speech
    talk on/about
    Professor Davis will talk about ‘Trends in Network Computing’.
5.  SECRET INFORMATION  [intransitive] if someone who has secret information talks, they tell someone else about it:
    Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk.
    He tried to stop his ex-wife from talking on live TV.
    We should stop meeting like this. People will talk.
6. talk sense/rubbish/nonsense etc especially British English spoken used to say that you think someone is saying something sensible, something stupid etc:
    You do talk rubbish sometimes, Jules.
7. talk (some) sense into somebody to persuade someone to behave sensibly:
    She hoped Father McCormack would be able to talk some sense into her son.
8. talk to yourself to say your thoughts out loud:
    ‘What did you say?’ ‘Sorry, I was just talking to myself.’
9. know what you are talking about spoken to know a lot about a particular subject:
    I worked in hotels for years, so I know what I’m talking about.
10. talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey informal to talk a lot, especially about unimportant things
11. talk about lazy/cheap/hungry etc spoken used to emphasize that someone or something is very lazy, cheap, hungry etc:
    Talk about lucky. That’s the second time he’s won this week__
12. talking of/about something spoken used to say more about a subject that someone has just mentioned:
    Talking of Venice, have you seen the masks I bought there last year?
13. what are you talking about? spoken used when you think what someone has said is stupid or wrong:
    What are you talking about? We got there in plenty of time.
14. I’m talking to you__ spoken used when you are angry that the person you are talking to is not paying attention:
    Rob__ I’m talking to you__
15. be like talking to a brick wall spoken used to say that it is annoying to speak to someone because they do not pay attention to you
16. talk sb’s ear off American English spoken to talk too much to someone
17. talk trash American English informal to say rude or offensive things to or about someone, especially to opponents in a sports competition:
    Both teams were talking trash on the court.
18. talk the talk American English informal to say the things that people expect or think are necessary in a particular situation:
    She didn’t talk the talk of feminism, but her career was the most important thing in her life. ⇨ walk the walk at walk¹(12)
19. I’m/we’re/you’re talking (about) something spoken used in conversation to emphasize a fact or remind someone of it:
    I’m not talking about ancient history, I’m talking about last season’s performance.
20. now you’re talking spoken used to say that you think someone’s suggestion is a good idea:
    ‘Fancy an ice cream?’ ‘Now you’re talking.’
21. look who’s talking, you’re a fine one to talk, you can talk spoken used to tell someone they should not criticize someone else’s behaviour because their own behaviour is just as bad:
    ‘Peggy shouldn’t smoke so much.’ ‘Look who’s talking__’
22. we’re/you’re talking £500/three days etc spoken used to tell someone how much something will cost, how long something will take to do etc:
    To do a proper job, you’re talking £750 minimum.
23. talk your way out of something informal to escape from a bad or embarrassing situation by giving explanations, excuses etc:
    She’s good at talking her way out of trouble.
24. talk nineteen to the dozen British English informal, talk a blue streak American English informal to talk very quickly without stopping
25. talk in riddles to deliberately talk in a strange and confusing way:
    Stop talking in riddles and explain what’s going on.
26. talk tough (on something) informal to give people your opinions very strongly:
    The President is talking tough on crime.
27. talk shop if people talk shop, they talk about their work when there are people present who are not interested or involved in it – used to show disapproval:
    Are you two going to talk shop all night?
28. talk dirty (to somebody) informal to talk in a sexual way to someone in order to make them feel sexually excited
29. be talking through your hat British English informal if someone is talking through their hat, they say stupid things about something that they do not understand
30. talk smack American English informal to criticize someone or something in an unpleasant way
31. talk to the hand spoken informal used to tell someone rudely that you do not want to listen to anything he or she is going to say to you. When people use this expression, they also usually turn their face away from the other person and hold the palm of their hand out towards them.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ talk to use words to communicate with someone about something: I need to talk to you about your work. | She always enjoyed talking to Jim. | Can we talk?
   ▪ speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language: He spoke with confidence and authority. | She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone. | I’d like to speak to the manager. | Do you speak German?
   ▪ go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored: He went on about how great the team was. | I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.
   ▪ waffle /ˈwɒfəl $ ˈwɑː-/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important: I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point__
   ▪ prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things: She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey. | What’s he prattling on about now?
■ to talk about everyday things
   ▪ have a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: She was having a conversation with one of her friends. | When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation). | I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
   ▪ chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: The girls were chatting outside the house. | It’s been nice having a chat with you.
   ▪ gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: What are you two gossiping about?
   ▪ visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone: I visited with him last week.
   ▪ converse formal to have a conversation with someone: We met once and conversed briefly.
■ to talk seriously
   ▪ discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans: They met to discuss how the building should be designed. | She refuses to discuss the matter.
   ▪ talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you: Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family. | You two need to sit down and talk things over.
   ▪ debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem: The issue will be debated on Tuesday. | The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.
     
talk around/round phrasal verb British English
  1. talk somebody around/round to persuade someone to change their opinion about something:
    Leave Betty to me. I’ll soon talk her round.
  2. talk around/round something to discuss a problem without really dealing with the important parts of it:
    They had spent half the night talking round the subject.
talk back phrasal verb
  to answer someone in authority such as a teacher or parent in a rude or impolite way
talk somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
  1. British English to make something seem less successful, interesting, good etc than it really is:
    the pessimists who are talking down Britain
  2. to help a pilot land an aircraft by giving them instructions from the ground by radio
talk down to somebody phrasal verb
  to talk to someone as if they are stupid, although they are not
   SYN  patronize:
    The students felt that they were talked down to as though they were children.
talk somebody into something phrasal verb
  to persuade someone to do something
    talk somebody into doing something
    My husband talked me into going skiing.
talk something ↔ out phrasal verb informal
  1. to discuss a problem thoroughly in order to solve it:
    We need to spend a little time talking this out.
    talk something ↔ out with
    It might help if you talked it out with Dad.
  2. British English if politicians talk out a proposal, they talk about it for a long time deliberately so that there will not be enough time to vote on it
   SYN  filibuster:
    The Land Protection Bill was talked out by MPs from rural areas.
talk somebody out of something phrasal verb
  to persuade someone not to do something
    talk somebody out of doing something
    Can’t you talk them out of selling the house?
talk something ↔ over phrasal verb
  to discuss a problem with someone before deciding what to do
    talk something ↔ over with
    Talk over any worries with your GP.
talk through something phrasal verb
  1. talk something ↔ through to discuss something thoroughly so that you are sure you understand it:
    Allow time to talk through any areas of difficulty.
  2. talk somebody through something to help someone understand a process, method etc by explaining it to them carefully before they use it:
    Trevor talked me through loading the software.
talk something ↔ up phrasal verb
  to make something appear more important, interesting, successful etc than it really is:
    Jones talked up the idea at the meeting.

II

talk² S1 W1 noun1.  CONVERSATION  [countable] a conversation:
    After a long talk, we decided on divorce.
    John, I’d like to have a talk with you.
    talk about
    We must have a talk about money.
2.  DISCUSSION talks [plural] formal discussions between governments, organizations etc
    peace/trade etc talks
    The peace talks look promising.
    The president held talks with Chinese officials.
    talks with
    Talks with the rebels have failed.
3.  SPEECH  [countable] a speech:
    an entertaining talk
    talk on/about
    a talk on local history
    give/do/deliver a talk
    Dr. Howard will give a talk on herbal medicine.
4.  NEWS  [uncountable] information or news that people talk about and hear about a lot, but that is not official
    talk of
    Tickets sold so quickly there’s talk of a second concert.
    talk of doing something
    the administration’s talk of reducing weapons
    talk that
    There’s talk that she’s difficult to work with.
    just/only talk
    It’s just talk. He’ll never do it.
5.  TYPE OF CONVERSATION  [uncountable] type of conversation:
    That’s enough of that kind of talk.
    persuasive sales talk
    That’s fighting talk (=brave and confident words) from Italy’s manager.
6. be all talk spoken someone who is all talk talks a lot about what they intend to do, but never actually does it
7. be the talk of the town/Paris etc someone who is the talk of the town has done something bad, shocking, exciting etc and everyone is talking about them:
    She’s the talk of London’s theatre-goers since her last performance.
8. talk is cheap used to say that you do not believe someone will do what they say
⇨ pep talk, small talk, ⇨ idle talk at idle¹(2), ⇨ pillow talk at pillow¹(3)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ verbs
   ▪ have a talk I must have a talk with Frank before I leave.
■ adjectives
   ▪ a long talk I had a long talk with Nora this morning.
   ▪ a little talk I’m glad we’ve had this little talk.
   ▪ a serious talk Before she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.
   ▪ a quiet/private talk She asked if she could have a private talk.
   ▪ a good talk (=a long talk about important or interesting things) She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.
   ▪ a nice talk We all had lunch together and a nice talk.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ verbs
   ▪ have/hold talks He called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.
   ▪ enter into talks (=start having talks) The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.
   ▪ talks begin Talks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.
   ▪ talks continue/are underway Talks will continue through the weekend.
   ▪ talks break down/collapse (=stop because of disagreement) Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
   ▪ talks resume/are resumed Talks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.
   ▪ talks end The talks ended without a settlement being reached.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + talks
   ▪ peace talks All four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.
   ▪ trade talks Trade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.
   ▪ high-level talks (=involving important people) The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.
   ▪ budget talks The dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.
   ▪ direct talks The President declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.
   ▪ bilateral talks (=involving two groups or countries) Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.
   ▪ round-table talks (=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way) An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.
   ▪ urgent talks The Prime Minister called ministers together for urgent talks.
   ▪ crisis talks (=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous) The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.
■ phrases
   ▪ a round of talks (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process) A third round of talks was held in May.
   ▪ the breakdown/collapse of talks The collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.