B1idiomcommunicationIELTS-friendly
have a word with someone
USUK
to talk to someone briefly, often in private about a problem
Mainly British. It often hints at a complaint or a serious topic.
In context
Can I have a word with you after the meeting? It's about the new schedule.
The neighbours were so noisy that my dad went to have a word with them.
More idioms about communication
- a bone of contentiona subject that people keep arguing about
- a broken recordsomeone who keeps repeating the same thing in an annoying way
- a heart-to-heartan honest, private conversation about personal feelings
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- a red herringa fact or idea that takes attention away from the real issue