talking shop

noun

British
: a place where people talk about doing things but do not actually achieve anything
usually singular
She complained that Parliament had come to be an ineffective talking shop.

Examples of talking shop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Tim Skipper holds a paper sheet on his person at all times while talking shop, calling plays on the sidelines. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025 Following a legend Lemaire and Hynes spent a few minutes talking shop, and the current Wild head man said there is nothing but respect for the coaching legend who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Talking shop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talking%20shop. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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