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.
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
My brother and I were in college at the time and, after a lengthy period of estrangement from our dad, are barely back on speaking terms with him.
From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2023
Mr. Pence, who is not on speaking terms with Mr. Trump, endorsed Ms. Kleefisch, who had also won the backing of the state’s GOP establishment.
From Washington Times • Aug. 10, 2022
The much-lauded arrival of Ralf Rangnick dissolved to such an extent the German was barely on speaking terms with the man who appointed him, football director John Murtough.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2022
At the time of Kendra’s death, Bathilda was the only person in Godric’s Hollow who was on speaking terms with Dumbledore’s mother.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
