THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Talk shop
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Discuss your work when you are away from work, especially with colleagues.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- We promised not to talk shop during the picnic.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
We promised not to ________ during the picnic.
Show the answer
Talk shop — Discuss your work when you are away from work, especially with colleagues.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Talk shop” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Discuss your work when you are away from work, especially with colleagues.
Compare: We promised not to talk shop during the picnic.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this conversational expression when professional topics enter a social occasion. It can sound neutral, amused or mildly critical depending on whether others want to join in.
More examples in context
- The designers started talking shop over dinner.
- I enjoy seeing colleagues socially, but I don’t always want to talk shop.
Usage note
Do not add “a” or “the” before “shop”. The people need not work in a retail shop; the phrase can refer to any profession or workplace.
A short conversation
A: Are you two discussing the project again?
B: Yes, we’ve been talking shop. Sorry—we’ll change the subject.
A: Tell me about your weekend trip instead.
One more practice question
Which situation is talking shop?
A. Two colleagues discussing their work project at a birthday dinner.
B. Two friends discussing an unrelated film at dinner.
Check your answer
A. Work discussion during a social occasion fits the idiom.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.