the situation: Taking one thing with another , I should say that the press is slightly freer than it was. what with one thing and another—because of various duties, happenings, etc.: What with one thing and another I forgot to tell you we couldn’t come. tale that is told • twice-told tale tale that is told—said of smth. gone by; of smth. which is over and done with: The path of history is strewn with dead civilizations. Today they are all as a tale that is told . twice-told tale —a hackneyed or trite story: To many of my readers all I have written will come as a twice-told tale , since thousands of men have undergone similar experiences. talk about something • talking about something talk about something —is used to emphasize the significance of the thing mentioned: Did you see the film last night? Talk about laugh! I’ve never laughed so much in my life. talking about something —(also: talking of something ) is used to introduce once again the subject that has just been men- tioned: The weather affects how we think, move, and feel. Talking about the weather, it is hot and dry down here. talk at large • talk large talk at large—talk at length, with details: We have talked at large on the merits of the many different types of boats. talk large —(coll.) speak boastfully (also: talk big ): We will know soon enough if Mr. Johnson is going to continue to talk large and act small. talk at someone • talk to someone talk at someone—speak to a person without paying attention to his reaction: I wish he could talk to the class in a more interesting way, instead of just talking at them as if they were not human. talk to someone—(also: talk with someone) 1. have a conver- sation with a person: “When you talk to the man upstairs,” he said, “I want you to tell him something.” 2. reprove or scold a person: I’ll talk to that boy when he gets in! He won’t bother you again. talk big • talk small talk big —(coll.) speak boastfully (also: talk large): “I hate to talk big ,” I said, “but I’m not afraid of Steelgrave or a dozen like him in one package.” talk small —(also: talk small talk) make conversation about unimportant things: We talked small for awhile, avoiding the obvious topic at the fore of each of our minds. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase sing small—(coll.) adopt a humble tone or manner; use less assertive language: Germans in Samoa. Their position was painful; they had talked big in the old days, now they had to sing small . talk double Dutch • talk like a Dutch uncle talk double Dutch—be totally incomprehensible when speaking: Oh yea, there was a guy explaining the system — in English and people were just looking at him as if he was talking double Dutch . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound doubletalk—(also: doublespeak) use deliberately imprecise, ambiguous language to disguise the actual meaning: The group is demanding a “genuine commitment to trans- formation” and a move away from the “tendency to double - talk .” talk like a Dutch uncle—speak in a harsh, unkind manner to educate, encourage, or admonish a person: Just because he’s older than me doesn’t give him the right to talk to me like a Dutch uncle ! talk down to someone • talk up to someone talk down to someone—talk in a way that suggests that the speaker is superior: It’s unwise for a lecturer to talk down to his audience. talk up to someone—1. be obsequious or super-respectful when talking to a person in a higher position, etc.: Don’t talk up to someone, as if they are better than you. Don’t talk down to someone, as if you are better than them. You are equals. 2. talk to smb. in a friendly and persuasive manner so as to gain favor, connections, etc.: He knew how to move at different levels; he could talk up to people at different conventions … he knew how to connect. See also: chat someone up / talk someone up. talk English • talk in English talk English—use the language in conversation: The team leader was German with a funny northern German accent when she talked English . I could understand her very well. talk in English—have a discussion or conversation in En- glish: The two ladies talked in English with Mr. Atwater, and I talked and laughed with the two children close beside me. talk on something • talk over something talk on something—speak at greater length on a subject; deliver a talk about a subject: I was asked to talk on the chal- lenges which are likely to be faced by the scientific commu- nity. talk over something—discuss smth. more seriously and in greater detail: I have seen numerous couples relax considerably when they talked over with others their childlessness and the accompanying fears. talk shop • talk-shop talk shop—talk about matters pertaining to one’s work or profession: Wedged in among typewriters and an offset press, the two menfolk “talked shop ” for most of the afternoon. Cf.: shop talk—a talk about one’s work or profession: The real power of the conference was the conversations in the hallways, the shop talk over coffee… talk-shop —(derog.) a center for idle and unconstructive talk (also: talking shop): The Social Forum should not be a mere talk- shop but it has to contribute to a concrete approach to issues. talk someone through something • talk something through with someone talk someone through something—provide detailed directions which enable a person to do or understand smth.: The nurse will talk you through the procedure and answer any concerns you have. talk something through with someone—discuss smth. in detail; consider a matter thoroughly with a person: I need to talk it through with my partner to make sure that he is happy with how things are taking shape. talk the same language • tell the same tale talk the same language —(also: speak the same language) have an understanding with a person through similarity of outlook: I don’t have many friends because I no longer talk the same language as the people I used to know. tell the same tale—1. (also: sing the same song) express the same ideas, opinions, etc.: All those who have defected tell the same tale of a rebel movement in disarray after a series of military defeats. 2. reveal a similar undesirable or unpleasant situation: There seemed no city which did not in one way or another tell the same tale of economic decay and social disin- tegration. tape machine • tape recorder tape machine —a telegraphic instrument in which the mes- – 317 – tape machine