talk over coffee

USAGE SUMMARY

"talk over coffee" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that you and someone else have a discussion together at a coffee shop. For example, “Let’s talk over coffee this afternoon and discuss the project.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We talk over coffee.

The New York Times - Science

But on Main Street in Elkhart, the talk over coffee in the Old Style Deli is more upbeat these days.

The New York Times

Houstoun frowns at the word "maverick", however, when we talk over coffee at London's St Pancras Station.

The Guardian

"This was a great effort from a group of Yale F&ES scientists which started as talk over coffee and ended with an important finding," said Raymond, a professor of ecosystem ecology.

Yale University

At a Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Lake Placid, where the talk over coffee and eggs was of foreclosures and cutbacks, those who came out to size up Mr. Tedisco included John W. Mills, president of nearby Paul Smith's College.

The New York Times

So when you're here, you get the best of both worlds: a beautiful college campus where you can spread out with a book, or talk over coffee with friends, with a diverse spread of bars and restaurants nearby where you can immerse yourself in the city.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What does it mean? 2 What was the name of the killer who Twain talked to over coffee? 3 What new-fangled piece of technology caused Twain to lose all his money? 1 A book about the Tour de Mont Aigoual bicycle race was published in 1978 by Uitgeverij Bert Bakker in Amsterdam.

The Guardian - Books

We talked over coffee.

Independent

They talked over coffee in Harvard Square.

The New York Times

Later in the summer, talking over coffee, she treated her career similarly.

The New York Times - Arts

When I visited him, our breath was visible as we talked over coffee about the pieces he was building.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talk over coffee" when you want to suggest an informal setting for a discussion. It implies a relaxed atmosphere conducive to conversation.

Common error

While "talk over coffee" is acceptable in many situations, it might be too informal for business reports or academic papers. Consider using more formal alternatives like "discuss" or "confer" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talk over coffee" functions as an idiomatic expression describing an informal discussion or conversation, often implying a relaxed and casual setting. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "talk over coffee" is a common and accepted way to describe an informal discussion or conversation, often implying a relaxed setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While it appears frequently in news and media, academia, and science, it’s advisable to use more formal language in professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "discuss" or "confer" for a more polished tone. Overall, "talk over coffee" is a versatile and easily understood phrase for suggesting a casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chat over coffee

Replaces "talk" with "chat", suggesting a more casual conversation.

discuss over coffee

Substitutes "talk" with "discuss", implying a more focused or deliberate conversation.

converse over coffee

Uses "converse" instead of "talk", indicating a more formal or extended discussion.

have a conversation over coffee

Rephrases to explicitly state "have a conversation", adding emphasis.

meet for coffee and talk

Inverts the structure, highlighting the meeting aspect before the conversation.

grab coffee and chat

Uses "grab coffee" and "chat", indicating a quicker and more casual interaction.

share coffee and conversation

Focuses on the shared aspect of the coffee and conversation experience.

have a coffee meeting

Simplifies to a "coffee meeting", emphasizing the meeting's context.

coffee klatch

Uses the term "coffee klatch", indicating an informal gathering for conversation.

coffee and a chat

Shortens the phrase, making it more concise and informal.

FAQs

How can I use "talk over coffee" in a sentence?

You can use "talk over coffee" to describe an informal discussion. For example, "Let's "talk over coffee" to discuss the details of the project."

What are some alternatives to "talk over coffee"?

You can use alternatives like "chat over coffee", "discuss over coffee", or "have a conversation over coffee" depending on the context.

Is "talk over coffee" too informal for professional settings?

While generally acceptable, ""talk over coffee"" might be too informal for formal business or academic environments. Consider using phrases like "discuss" or "confer".

What does "talking over coffee" imply?

The phrase ""talk over coffee"" typically implies an informal setting, suggesting a relaxed and casual conversation.