idiom · informal
talk shop
UK/tɔːk ʃɒp/US/tɔːk ʃɑːp/TALK·shop
speaking
to discuss work-related matters, especially when it is not appropriate (e.g. in social situations)
Examples
“They went to a party but ended up talking shop the whole night.”
“Please don't talk shop at the wedding — it's supposed to be a celebration.”
“We met for coffee and couldn't help talking shop.”
Band 8 sentence
“Even at a family dinner, the consultants inevitably started talking shop.”
Collocations
- talk shop at a party
- can't help talking shop
Word family
talking shop verb phrase
Common mistakes
talk about shop→talk shop
talk shoppe→talk shop
Say it for a higher band
5discuss work→6talk business→7+talk shop
Synonyms
discuss work
Easily confused
talk business
“They need to talk business about the contract next week.”
Related words
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In Communication
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