on speaking terms
Idioms-
Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks, as in We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors .
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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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A year after dropping “big bombs” on social media and torching their alliance, President Trump and Elon Musk are back on speaking terms.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
In an effort to inject accountability during the team’s 6-21 start, Paul instead angered many, including head coach Tyronn Lue, who wasn’t on speaking terms with Paul at the end.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026
The report, citing unidentified sources, said the two had not been on speaking terms for "several weeks", with the Clippers believing Paul had become "disruptive."
From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025
"We're still on speaking terms - not the best of friends. It's still quite tough watching it back for the both of us."
From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2024
Spoken conversation is instinctive because social interaction is instinctive: we speak to those with whom we are on speaking terms.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
