talk around
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle around
Meanings
Discuss without addressing directly
Why “around”? The path bends to avoid an obstacle instead of passing through it.
“They've been talking around the issue all morning.”
“They talked around the problem for an hour.”
Don't confuse with
Talk around means discuss without addressing directly. Talk through means discuss something thoroughly step by step.
Talk around means discuss without addressing directly. Talk about means discuss a particular subject.
Talk around means discuss without addressing directly. Talk out means discuss a problem fully until it is settled.
Test yourself
“They've been talking around the issue all morning.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
talk about
A contrast learners often mix up
Discuss a particular subject
talk out
A contrast learners often mix up
Discuss a problem fully until it is settled
talk over
A contrast learners often mix up
Discuss something thoroughly to reach an agreement; Speak loudly while another person is speaking
talk through
A contrast learners often mix up
Discuss something thoroughly step by step; Explain each step of something to someone
beat around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid the main point by being indirect (beat around the bush)
dance around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a topic by being evasive
get around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a rule or difficulty; Travel or move about; (of news) become widely known; Find time to do something
go around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Take a longer path to avoid something; Move in a circular path; Be enough for everyone in a group; Behave in a particular way habitually; (of an illness) be common in a community
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