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on speaking terms

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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.

See also: on, speaking, term

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.

See also: on, speaking, term

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.

See also: on, speaking, term

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.

See also: on, speaking, term