on speaking terms

Meaning

Friendly enough to talk to each other, especially after an argument or disagreement. It is most frequently used in the negative ('not on speaking terms') to describe two people who are ignoring each other due to an unresolved conflict.

Examples

• After their big fight last month, the two sisters are finally on speaking terms again.

  After their big fight last month, the two sisters are finally on speaking terms again.

• Are you and Tom still not on speaking terms, or have you patched things up?

  Are you and Tom still not on speaking terms, or have you patched things up?

• They work in the same office, but they are barely on speaking terms after the project failed.

  They work in the same office, but they are barely on speaking terms after the project failed.

• It took three years for them to get back on speaking terms after the divorce.

  It took three years for them to get back on speaking terms after the divorce.

• We had a minor disagreement, but thankfully we are still on speaking terms.

  We had a minor disagreement, but thankfully we are still on speaking terms.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They are not in speaking terms.

  ✓ They are not on speaking terms.

  The correct preposition to use in this phrase is 'on', not 'in'.

• ✗ We are on speaking term now.

  ✓ We are on speaking terms now.

  The word 'terms' must always be plural in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My brothers had a huge argument and haven't been _______ for over a year.

  💡 Talking to each other in a friendly or civil way.

  Show answer

  on speaking terms

• I'm glad to hear that you and your boss are back _______.

  💡 Communicating again after a dispute.

  Show answer

  on speaking terms