Phrasal verb
talk over
Meanings
to discuss something with someone, especially to decide what to do
to discuss a disagreement or problem calmly in order to resolve it
Definition
To talk over something is to discuss it with someone in order to make a decision or understand it better.
When you talk over something, you discuss it with another person so you can share ideas, solve a problem, or decide what to do. It often suggests a calm, careful conversation. You can talk over plans, choices, or disagreements before taking action.
Examples
- I need to talk over the schedule with my manager before I confirm it.
- Can you talk over your idea with the team during the meeting?
- He wants to talk over the mistake with his colleague and figure out what happened.
- She sat down to talk over the travel plans with her partner after dinner.
- They agreed to talk over the argument with their neighbors and find a compromise.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "talk about" when they mean "talk over" (a careful discussion to decide), but "talk over" better fits decision-making.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.