be on speaking terms

be on speaking terms
(not) be on speaking terms to be refusing to talk to someone because you have had an argument and are still angry with them.

She's not on speaking terms with her ex-husband.

(often + with)

Jeanette and her mother haven't been on speaking terms since the wedding.


New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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  • speaking terms — noun plural 1. : a mutual relationship limited to casual greeting or conversation used in the phrase on speaking terms 2. : a mutual relationship of intimacy and trust used with a negative and in the phrase on speaking terms the two brothers… …   Useful english dictionary

  • speaking terms — n. to be on speaking terms with smb. * * * to be on speaking terms with smb …   Combinatory dictionary

  • not on speaking terms — phrase if two people are not on speaking terms, they are very angry with each other and will not talk to each other Thesaurus: words used to describe relations and relationshipshyponym friendship and feelings of friendshipsynonym Main entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • not on speaking terms — if two people are not on speaking terms, they are very angry with each other and will not talk to each other …   English dictionary

  • To be on speaking terms — Speaking Speak ing, a. 1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube. [1913 Webster] 2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. [1913 Webster] {A speaking… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • on speaking terms — see under ↑term • • • Main Entry: ↑speak on speaking terms 1. Friendly enough to speak to each other 2. Well enough acquainted to speak • • • Main Entry: ↑term * * * on speaking terms often in negatives …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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… …   New idioms dictionary

  • not be on speaking terms — (not) be on speaking terms to be refusing to talk to someone because you have had an argument and are still angry with them. She s not on speaking terms with her ex husband. (often + with) Jeanette and her mother haven t been on speaking terms… …   New idioms dictionary

  • (be) on speaking terms (with somebody) — be on ˈspeaking terms (with sb) | be ˈspeaking (to sb) idiom to be willing to be polite or friendly towards sb, especially after an argument • She s not been on speaking terms with her uncle for years. • Are they speaking to each other again yet? …   Useful english dictionary

  • on speaking terms — ► on speaking terms slightly acquainted; moderately friendly. Main Entry: ↑speaking …   English terms dictionary

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