on speaking terms

Idioms  

1. Friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks, as in We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors .

2. 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.

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Example Sentences

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

Relations will most likely return to what they were between Argentina's current Peronist President Alberto Fernandez and Brazil's Bolsonaro, who were not on speaking terms, he said.

From Reuters • Nov. 20, 2023

They weren’t on speaking terms at the time.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023

He’d had a falling-out with Kubat in August of 1993 over a moral issue, according to Bobby, and they weren’t on speaking terms.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady