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

Example Sentences

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

But he did not have good answers, even on those rare occasions when he was allowed to get in a word edgewise.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2023

I did not get a word in edgewise.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2022

Since he was convinced that everything he uttered was interesting, the rest of the family had trouble getting a word in edgewise.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey