Definition of talking shop
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.
Learn More About talking shop
Statistics for talking shop
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Talking shop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talking%20shop. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Seen & Heard
People are talking about
Test Your Vocabulary
Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
-
- Which is the correct spelling?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name that Thing: Musical Instruments
Can you correctly identify these musical instrume...
Take the quiz
-
Surprising Latin American Origins Behind Everyday Words
What treat did the Aztecs refer to as "bitter wat...
Take the quiz
-
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz
Share talking shop