Expressions Connected with Communication
Put the instructions in simple terms so that nothing gets _____.
Put the information in simple terms so that nothing gets misinterpreted.
It was meant to be a joke, but he _____.
It was meant to be a joke, but he took it literally.
If I had only _____ when I suspected something was wrong, none of this would have happened.
If I had only spoken out when I suspected something was wrong, none of this would have happened.
Oh, that's interesting. I never would have noticed if you hadn't _____.
Oh, that's interesting. I never would have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out.
I've been trying to get Jeff to _____ a bit, but he just likes to keep things to himself.
I've been trying to get Jeff to open up a bit, but he just likes to keep things to himself.
The professor _____ that made the class laugh.
The professor made a witty remark that made the class laugh.
The artist used vibrant colors to _____ of hope and resilience in her latest painting.
The artist used vibrant colors to convey a message of hope and resilience in her latest painting.
You must provide sufficient evidence and reasoning to _____ your argument.
You must provide sufficient evidence and reasoning to back up your argument.
Don't _____ work tonight at dinner unless you want to hear Jeanne complain for three hours.
Don't bring up work tonight at dinner unless you want to hear Jeanne complain for three hours.
My mom is someone that I can always _____ in times of need.
My mom is someone that I can always turn to in times of need.
The police _____ that the victim waited a month before reporting the crime.
The police found it puzzling that the victim waited a month before reporting the crime.
If you want your message to be understood by everyone, you must _____ and speak clearly.
If you want your message to be understood by everyone, you must avoid jargon and speak clearly.
The manager insulted everyone in the office by _____ them.
The manager insulted everyone in the office by talking down to them.
There are a lot of mature jokes in this cartoon that I never _____ as a kid.
There are a lot of mature jokes in this cartoon that I never picked up on as a kid.
Hopefully the message of this play is going to _____ someone.
Hopefully the message of this play is going to get through to someone.
We vote tomorrow, so please tell me that all members of the party _____ by now.
We vote tomorrow, so please tell me that all members of the party are on the same page by now.
It takes time to _____ of local customs when moving to a new country.
It takes time to understand the nuances of local customs when moving to a new country.
Hey, don't _____! I'm not done with my story.
Hey, don't cut me off! I'm not done with my story.
There, in the background—there's someone talking. If we turn up the volume we may be able to _____ what they're saying.
There, in the background—there's someone talking. If we turn up the volume we may be able to make out what they're saying.
I'm sorry to _____, but I have some information that might help.
I'm sorry to cut in, but I have some information that might help.
Mary and I spoke about Anne for a minute or two before I realized we were _____: I meant Anne Smith and Mary meant Anne Harris.
Mary and I spoke about Anne for a minute or two before I realized we were talking at cross purposes: I meant Anne Smith and Mary meant Anne Harris.
He must have _____ about something when I was talking to him earlier, because he has started acting really odd whenever I see him now.
He must have gotten the wrong end of the stick about something when I was talking to him earlier, because he has started acting really odd whenever I see him now.
We had to fire him when we learned that he had less experience than he'd _____.
We had to fire him when we learned that he had less experience than he'd let on.
Sorry, but could you _____ your exact plan for us? It doesn't really seem to make sense.
Sorry, but could you spell out your exact plan for us? It doesn't really seem to make sense.
The waiter _____ the rude customer for acting so inappropriately towards her.
The waiter told off the rude customer for acting so inappropriately towards her.