talk things over

USAGE SUMMARY

"talk things over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when two or more people are discussing a particular topic or issue in order to come to an agreement or understanding. For example: "We need to talk things over before we make a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They gathered to meet with Jordan and talk things over, then held the Mavericks at bay as owner Mark Cuban tried to get one more meeting to close the deal.

The Guardian - Sport

Having this time to talk things over was particularly important for patients after being given their diagnosis.

BMC Health Services Research

It isn't that bad, if they go out for a meal so that they can talk things over don't worry because they won't start shouting in a public place.

WikiHow

They talk things over and never argue.

The New York Times

I'll meet their parents, talk things over".

The Guardian

"In my house," he said, "we didn't talk things over".

The New York Times

He says Birbalsingh dropped by recently to talk things over.

The Guardian

Why don't we just lie down and talk things over".

The New Yorker

They sit in a circle in a corner of the room and talk things over.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, he should talk things over with his doctor, mainly to put the condition into perspective.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They had plans, he said, to go out to dinner and talk things over.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talk things over" when you want to emphasize a collaborative and communicative approach to problem-solving or decision-making. It suggests a willingness to listen to different perspectives and find common ground.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who is "talking things over" with whom. If the parties involved are not immediately obvious, specify them to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We need to talk things over", specify "We need to talk things over with the manager."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talk things over" functions as a phrasal verb, serving primarily as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. The examples provided demonstrate its role in expressing the action of discussing matters to reach an understanding or resolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "talk things over" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe a collaborative discussion intended to resolve an issue or reach a mutual understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, and its frequent occurrence in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki, confirms its broad applicability. When using "talk things over", ensure clarity regarding who is involved in the discussion. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like ""discuss the matter"" or "confer with each other". However, in most everyday scenarios, "talk things over" is an effective and easily understood way to convey the need for a communicative approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss the matter

Focuses on a specific issue being discussed.

hash out the details

Implies a more thorough and possibly difficult discussion.

sort things out

Emphasizes resolving problems or confusion.

have a conversation

A general term for discussing something.

confer with each other

Suggests a more formal consultation.

reach a consensus

Highlights the aim of reaching an agreement.

negotiate a settlement

Indicates a formal discussion to resolve a dispute.

find common ground

Focuses on identifying areas of agreement.

speak openly

Emphasizes honesty and frankness in the discussion.

clear the air

Implies resolving tension or misunderstandings through conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "talk things over" to suggest a collaborative discussion aimed at resolution. For example, "Let's "discuss the matter" and see if we can find a solution" or "The team needs to "sort things out" before the project deadline".

What are some alternatives to "talk things over"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""discuss the matter"", ""sort things out"", "have a conversation", or "confer with each other", depending on the context and the formality of the situation.

Is it better to "talk things over" or "discuss things"?

"Talk things over" implies a more informal and collaborative approach, suggesting a willingness to listen and understand different viewpoints. "Discuss things" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply the same level of collaboration. Use ""discuss the matter"" when you want a neutral term for exchanging information.

When is it appropriate to use "talk things over" in a professional setting?

It's appropriate to use "talk things over" in a professional setting when encouraging open communication and collaborative problem-solving. For instance, saying "Let's "reach a consensus" on this issue" suggests a team-oriented approach. However, in highly formal situations, "confer with each other" might be more suitable.