out-talk

A determined student out-talks his opponent in the debate club.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To talk more than or surpass in speaking: "out-talk" means to speak longer, more effectively, or more persuasively than someone else, often to dominate a conversation or silence others.
   • To talk over or drown out: It can also mean to speak so much or so loudly that others cannot be heard.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • She managed to out-talk her opponent during the debate. (She spoke more or more convincingly than her opponent.)
  • He tried to out-talk everyone at the meeting, but no one was impressed. (He attempted to dominate the conversation by speaking excessively.)
  • The children out-talked their parents, refusing to let them get a word in. (The children spoke over their parents, preventing them from participating.)

Advanced Usage

• "to out-talk someone into submission": to talk so much that the other person gives up or agrees.

  • The salesman out-talked the customer into buying the product. (He persuaded the customer through relentless talking.)

• "to be out-talked": to be defeated in a conversation by someone who speaks more or better.

  • In the argument, he felt out-talked and frustrated. (He was unable to match the other person's verbal skill or volume.)

Variants and Related Words

• Out-talker (n): a person who talks more or better than others.

  • He is known as an out-talker in social circles. (He dominates conversations.)

• Outtalking (v, gerund): the act of talking more than someone else.

  • Outtalking your friends can make you seem rude. (The habit of speaking over others.)

Synonyms

• Outspeak: to speak more than or better than.
• Outvoice: to speak louder or more effectively than.
• Overwhelm with words: to dominate through excessive talking.

Phrasal Verbs

• Talk over: to interrupt or dominate a conversation by speaking while others are speaking.

  • He always tries to talk over his colleagues. (He interrupts or speaks louder than them.)

• Talk down: to speak in a condescending or dominating manner.

  • She talked down to her opponent, but he out-talked her. (She used a superior tone, but he spoke more effectively.)

Related Idioms

• Talk someone's ear off: to talk to someone for a very long time, often excessively.

  • My neighbour talked my ear off about her garden. (She spoke so much I couldn't respond.)

• Have the last word: to speak after everyone else, often to assert dominance.

  • He always has to have the last word, even if he is out-talked. (He insists on speaking last, even if defeated.)