Talk over someone
Meaning
To interrupt another person by speaking at the same time or louder than them, often to dominate the conversation or disregard their input.
Origin
The act of speaking simultaneously with or louder than another person is as old as human conversation itself. While the physical action is straightforward, the phrase "talk over someone" gained its idiomatic weight as a specific criticism of conversational dominance and disrespect as social etiquette evolved, particularly from the early 20th century onwards. As formal debates and parliamentary procedures emphasized turn-taking and orderly discourse, the literal act of overlapping speech solidified into a recognized social infraction. The phrase thereby transformed from a simple description of speech overlap into a pointed critique of someone's failure to respect another's right to speak, reflecting a growing societal value placed on equitable conversation and active listening.
Examples
- It's rude to talk over someone when they are trying to explain their point of view.
- During the heated debate, both candidates repeatedly began to talk over someone else's arguments.