edgewise

American  

[ej-wahyz] / ˈɛdʒˌwaɪz /

Also edgeways

adverb

1. with the edge forward; in the direction of the edge.

2. sideways.

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idioms

1. get a word in edgewise, to succeed in entering a conversation or expressing one's opinion in spite of competition or opposition.

   There were so many people talking at once that I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

edgewise More Idioms  

1. see get a word in edgewise.

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Etymology

Origin of edgewise

First recorded in 1560–70; edge + -wise

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

edgewise

It was never easy to get a word in edgewise, and there was nothing “safe” about that space—say anything half-stupid and everyone would pile on for the next 25 years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025

Kamala Harris could hardly get a word in edgewise during her interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, but when she did she made it count.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2024

My friend has a 16-year-old child who is shy, quiet and smart, but who can't get a word in edgewise when we three are together.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 14, 2022

The greater challenge will be if you win, trying to get a word in edgewise during your meal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2020

All 3 billion of us are being connected by telephones, radios, television sets, airplanes, satellites, harangues on public-address systems, newspapers, magazines, leaflets dropped from great heights, words got in edgewise.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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