convince his friends that what they were doing was wrong, or tell on his friends which may cost him their friendship? speak aloud • speak loud speak aloud —speak in a normal voice rather than quietly or in a whisper: You must never speak aloud in theaters, I was told. speak loud —speak in a voice that is above normal in volume: He spoke loud enough for most of the audience to hear him. speak at someone • speak to someone speak at someone—speak to a person without paying atten- tion to his reaction: Is this person listening to me? Is he speak - ing at me , down to me, or with me? Is this a caring person I can trust? speak to someone—1. address a person: The skinny ugly woman suddenly spoke to me: “You like black women?” I was shocked at the out-of-nowhere question. 2. (also: speak with someone) have a conversation with a person: She had to speak to them in Urdu and they probably only knew Kashmiri. 3. (also: speak with someone) admonish or scold a person: Your secretary was late again this morning—you’d better speak to her about it. 4. make a speech directed to an audience: It was announced that the Prime Minister would speak to the nation on television. speak broad • speak broadly speak broad —(UK) speak with a strong accent showing that a speaker is from a definite part of the country: Parents who speak “broad ” Shetlandic to their children may nevertheless scoff at the idea that it might be of any value. speak broadly—speak in general terms rather than specific details: I tried to find laureates who could represent some of the scientific turning points of the last century and who could speak broadly about science. speak by the book • speak like a book speak by the book—speak accurately, with care as to facts: I knew him for many years, and I speak by the book of the man. He could write nothing that he did not at least feel to be true. speak like a book —use literary or pedantic language in con- versation: “If you can contrive to affect to be angry with him for his extravagance, it will do good.” “You speak like a book , and I’ll try my best.” speak English • speak in English speak English —1. know and be able to use the language: She asked if the other two women spoke English , and Miss Savage told her that one was a German-Swiss. 2. use English in con- versation: As I spoke English , she concluded I was a foreign teacher come on business connected with the Pensionnat. speak in English —1. give a formal speech using English: Just a decade ago, Russian officials rarely spoke in English at inter- national conferences. 2. use English on a particular occasion: Then to my surprise he spoke in English — good English, with the chi-chi accent of the Indian. speak for something • speak volumes for something speak for something—1. (also: speak up for something) speak in support of an idea, proposal, etc.: Mary always spoke for the rights of her people at a time when the civil rights move- ment was gaining ground. 2. (of things or actions) give proof in favor of smth.; be evidence of smth. (also: speak of some- thing ): His glittering array of awards speaks for his quality as a footballer. speak volumes for something—(of things or actions) 1. give much significant information about smth.: This book speaks volumes for what the families endure when the situation takes a tragic turn. 2. provide abundant evidence of smth.: The way he has fought back from crippling knee injuries speaks vol - umes for his courage and determination. speak high • speak highly speak high —(dated) speak loudly: You must do me the honor to speak high , for I am deaf. speak highly —(also: talk highly) praise a person or thing: The students spoke highly of their history lecturer. speak in confidence • speak with confidence speak in confidence —speak in the expectation that anything said will be kept private: They could speak in confidence to medical staff who were only obliged to notify managers if the employees condition created a risk. speak with confidence —speak in an assertive and self-assured manner: At the convention he was one of the five most fre- quent speakers and he always spoke with confidence . speak out of turn • speak too soon speak out of turn —speak rashly or tactlessly (without enough thought of the consequences): I’m going to speak out of turn and you’ll be welcome to tell me I should mind my own busi- ness. speak too soon —say or announce smth. prematurely: I spoke too soon about moving to Boston; I didn’t get the job after all. speak something out • talk something out speak something out—1. declare smth. openly and clearly: A large part of old novels speak out plainly and simply the noto- rious facts of the world, as men speak of them to men. 2. (Par- liament) carry on the discussion of a bill, etc. till the time for adjournment is reached, and so prevent it from being passed: He spoke with the obvious intention of speaking out the Bill. talk something out—1. discuss smth. thoroughly: I think the whole question has now been talked out . 2. = speak something out 2: The new law will not have effect as planned, as it was talked out in the last meeting of the House. 3. (of a quarrel, dispute, etc.) settle by talking: Unions and employers should try to talk out their differences before taking action. speak well for something • speak well of something speak well for something—give proof in favor of smth.; be strong evidence of smth.: His generous gift speaks well for his willingness to help others. speak well of something—1. express a good opinion of smth.: To speak well of the past was a mortal sin and got you into trouble with the party theologians. 2. = speak well for some- thing: His desire to stay with the high-tech program at Cleve- land speaks well of his good intentions. speak without affect • speak without effect speak without affect—speak in a normal natural way not intended to impress others: Acting as actors, they speak with - out affect , in the mundane idiom of contemporary New York- ers. speak without effect—speak in vain or to no purpose: The subject and the occasion are valueless, but it is equally true that, without a great subject and a proper occasion, a man speaks without effect . specific criteria • specified criteria specific criteria —criteria relating to one particular thing, that is, not general: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual lists spe - cific criteria that enable the clinician to establish a diagnosis. specified criteria —criteria named definitely; criteria included in the specifications: The student is asked to make a plan for a garden that meets specified criteria . – 303 – specific criteria