confer with
Verb: - To seek advice, information, or opinions from someone; to have a discussion with someone in order to make a decision or gain knowledge.
The verb "confer with" is used when describing the act of talking to someone, typically an expert or a colleague, to get their counsel or to deliberate together. It implies a formal or serious discussion aimed at reaching a decision or understanding. It is often followed by the person or group being consulted.
- The president will confer with his advisors before announcing the new policy.
- I need to confer with my lawyer before signing this contract.
- The doctor conferred with a specialist about the complex case.
- "to confer with someone on/about something": This structure specifies the topic of the consultation.
- The committee conferred with the architect on the building's design.
- She conferred with her team about the project timeline.
- Consult (verb): A direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "confer with."
- You should consult a financial planner.
- Conference (noun): A formal meeting for discussion.
- They held a conference to discuss the merger.
- Conferral (noun): The act of bestowing something (e.g., a degree). This is a different meaning from "confer with."
- The conferral of the award will take place tomorrow.
- Consult
- Discuss with
- Deliberate with
- Take counsel from
(Note: "Confer with" is itself a phrasal verb. Other phrasal verbs using "confer" are less common.) - Confer on/upon (verb): To grant or bestow something (e.g., an honor, a right). This is a different phrasal verb with a distinct meaning. - The university will confer an honorary degree upon the distinguished scientist.
- Put heads together: To consult or deliberate with others. (This is a more informal idiom with a similar collaborative meaning.)
- Let's put our heads together and solve this problem.
- get or ask advice from
- Consult your local broker
- They had to consult before arriving at a decision