talk past
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To talk at cross purposes with; to speak in such a way that a listener fails to understand one's meaning.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “talk past” mean?
To talk at cross purposes with; to speak in such a way that a listener fails to understand one's meaning.
Is “talk past” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.