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on speaking terms
on speaking terms (with someone)
on friendly terms with someone. (Often with the negative.) I'm not on speaking terms with Mary. We had a serious disagreement. We're not on speaking terms.
on speaking terms
friendly enough to talk
We have heard from various people that the coach is barely on speaking terms with his best pitcher. Usage notes: often used in the form not on speaking terms: The two nations have not been on speaking terms for a couple of decades.
on speaking terms
1. Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks, as in We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors.
2. Ready and willing to communicate, not alienated or estranged. For example, We are on speaking terms again after the quarrel. Both senses of this idiom commonly occur in the negative, as in Brett and his brother haven't been on speaking terms for years. The idiom was first recorded in 1786.
on speaking terms
1. Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks: We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors.
2. Ready and willing to communicate; not alienated or estranged.