Talking and communicating

The two colleagues were _______________ during the meeting, as one was discussing the budget while the other was focused on marketing strategies.

• talking at cross-purposes

• talking behind someone's back

• talking rubbish

• talking sense

I tried to explain the situation, but she completely misunderstood and got _______________.

• the wrong end of the stick

• the talking point

• the ball rolling

• the discussion wrapped up

Tom is so talkative that I _______________ whenever we have a conversation.

• can't get a word in edgeways

• talk shop

• put it in a nutshell

• start the ball rolling

The instructions were so confusing that I _______________ of them.

• couldn’t make head or tail

• couldn’t get to the point

• was talking down

• was talking sense

The manager _______________ to the new intern, making him feel inferior.

• wrapped up the discussion

• talked sense

• talked down

• gave him a talking to

Jane seems friendly, but I overheard her _______________ about Sarah’s work ethic.

• starting the ball rolling

• making small talk

• talking rubbish

• talking behind Sarah’s back

At the networking event, we mostly engaged in _______________ rather than discussing serious business matters.

• small talk

• talking points

• a talking to

• long-winded discussions

I don’t enjoy going to lunch with my colleagues because they always _______________ and never discuss anything else.

• get to the point

• talk shop

• talk rubbish

• start the ball rolling

The rising cost of living has become a major _______________ in the upcoming election.

• talking point

• talk shop

• wrong end of the stick

• speaking my mind

The teacher _______________ after he was caught cheating on the test.

• started the ball rolling

• talked rubbish

• talked down

• gave him a talking to