Modul 5: Idiom 54: Get a Word in Edgeways

Get a Word in Edgeways

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘Get a word in Edgeways.’ If you can’t ‘get a word in edgeways’ it means that someone is speaking constantly and you are struggling – it’s difficult for you – to join in the conversation.

So what is the origin of this idiom?

The word ‘edgeways’ or ‘edgewise,’ as it’s less commonly referred to, means to proceed, to go sideways through something. The idiom refers to the act of squeezing through a big crowd – a lots of people. It’s annoying when you need to be somewhere but a crowd is in your way and you have to turn sideways to get through the thin gaps in the crowd. The act of going sideways or ‘edgeways’ means proceeding through narrow gaps, so in conversation it means trying to quickly say something where the other person might momentarily pause. The most common phrasing of this idiom is ‘can’t get a word in edgeways’ which’s to say that when the person is talking so much there are no small gaps to quickly squeeze a word in any way.

Take a look at our illustration.

The two ladies are in a conversation but both of their mouths are open. Well, this is because they are both talking non-stop. The little girl wants to join in the conversation but with both of the ladies talking so much, there is no room for her to say something. She can’t get a word in edgeways. What is she doing with her body? She’s trying to squeeze in between the two ladies. She’s squeezing through sideways, or ‘edgeways’. And this doesn’t really seem to be helping her at all because the ladies haven’t noticed her.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

“I had coffee with Jane the other day, but I couldn’t get a word in edgeways; she talked the whole time!”

My nan –  my grandma  –  had 14 children, so you can’t get a word in edgeways when you chat to her because she’s always got something new to say about her large family.

My boss called me into his office and shouted at me for being late, but I couldn’t get a word in edgeways to tell him that I was late because I had a hospital appointment.

If you want to get a word in edgeways with Karen, you need to wait until she takes a sip of her tea.

“You don’t let me get a word in edgeways, mum. I’m trying to tell you why I haven’t done my chores – my household tasks and jobs -, but you won’t listen!”

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. Velma loves to talk. Her grandson Charlie often visits her for a cup of tea and a slice of cake,  but he never looks forward to it. He finds it tiring and boring because she hardly ever stops talking, and Charlie can never say a word. Can Charlie get a word in edgeways? No, Velma doesn’t stop talking, so Charlie can never get a word in edgeways. 
2. Janice and Greg arrived at Gaucho for their first date. They were both nervous and conversation was sparse – it was infrequent, very little. They sat down at their table and awkwardly discussed the weather and then commented on how nice the restaurant seemed. But, the conversation never seemed to progress -to move on, so Janice made a couple of excuses to leave the table and go to the toilet. She found Greg rather boring. Could either of them get a word in edgeways on their date? Yes. There were plenty of chances for them both to talk, but they felt awkward.

3. John always says that the key to owning a successful car dealership is by talking. He says, “If you give the customers an opportunity to ask questions about the car, then they’ll you that they’ll not buy it off of you – from you; they’ll often change their minds. So, never stop talking!” Do the customers at John’s car dealerships get a word in edgeways? No. He never gives them an opportunity to ask questions.
4. When I was training to be a doctor, I found it hard sitting in lectures. We were constantly talked at by our professor, and it was never interesting. I much preferred it when we went into the hospital so that we could see the other doctors’ work and practise our skills. We could ask so many questions, and the doctors were always so supportive – they helped us a lot. Could I get a word in edgeways at the hospital or during my lectures? At the hospital because we were practise and get support.

5. My mum and dad never argue. Once however, they did get into an argument, but my mum yelled and yelled and yelled and never let my dad speak. He learnt his lesson never to get her angry, so now they agree on everything. Even if my dad disagrees with her, he’ll never tell her in case it starts an argument. Who can’t get a word in edgeways during their argument? My dad because my mum never stops yelling. 

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.