B1idiomcommunicationIELTS-friendly
make small talk
USUK
to have a light, polite conversation about unimportant things
'Small talk' is uncountable: no 'a'. The weather, the traffic and weekend plans are classic topics.
In context
I find it hard to make small talk with people I've just met.
We made small talk about the weather while we waited for the lift.
Common mistake
Incorrect: We made a small talk before the meeting.
Correct: We made small talk before the meeting.
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