7 VERB [no cont] If you say that something speaks for itself , you mean that its meaning or quality is so obvious that it does not need explaining or pointing out. □ [V + for ] Mrs Turner has worked here for 25 years. Her record speaks for itself.
8 → see also speaking
9 CONVENTION If you say ' Speak for yourself ' when someone has said something, you mean that what they have said is only their opinion or applies only to them. [INFORMAL ] □ 'We're not blaming you,' Kate said. 'Speak for yourself,' Boris muttered.
10 PHRASE If a person or thing is spoken for or has been spoken for , someone has claimed them or asked for them, so no-one else can have them. □ Maybe they simply don't fancy you, or maybe they're already spoken for.
11 PHRASE Nothing to speak of means 'hardly anything' or 'only unimportant things'. □ They have no weaponry to speak of. □ 'Any fresh developments?'—'Nothing to speak of.'
12 PHRASE If you speak well of someone or speak highly of someone, you say good things about them. If you speak ill of someone, you criticize them. □ Both spoke highly of the Russian president. □ It seemed she found it difficult to speak ill of anyone.
13 PHRASE You use so to speak to draw attention to the fact that you are describing or referring to something in a way that may be amusing or unusual rather than completely accurate. □ I ought not to tell you but I will, since you're in the family, so to speak.
14 PHRASE If you are on speaking terms with someone, you are quite friendly with them and often talk to them. □ For a long time her mother and her grandmother had hardly been on speaking terms. [Also + with ]
15 to speak your mind → see mind ➊
16 to speak volumes → see volume
▸ speak out PHRASAL VERB If you speak out against something or in favour of something, you say publicly that you think it is bad or good. □ [V P prep] He spoke out strongly against selling off state-owned property. □ [V P ] Even then, she continued to speak out at rallies around the country.
▸ speak up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you speak up , you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing. □ [V P + for ] Uncle Herbert never argued, never spoke up for himself.
2 PHRASAL VERB [no cont] If you ask someone to speak up , you are asking them to speak more loudly. □ [V P ] I'm quite deaf–you'll have to speak up. COLLOCATIONS speak VERB
2
speak + adverb : briefly, eloquently, exclusively, movingly; directly
4
speak + noun : English, French, language
speak + adverb : fluently, well
-speak /-spiːk/ COMB -speak is used to form nouns which refer to the kind of language used by a particular person or by people involved in a particular activity. You use -speak when you disapprove of this kind of language because it is difficult for other people to understand. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Unfortunately, the message is almost lost within his constant management-speak.
speak|easy /spiː kiːzi/ (speakeasies ) N‑COUNT A speakeasy was a place where people could buy alcoholic drinks illegally in the United States between 1920 and 1933, when alcohol was forbidden.
speak|er ◆◇◇ /spiː kə r / (speakers )
1 N‑COUNT A speaker at a meeting, conference, or other gathering is a person who is making a speech or giving a talk. □ Among the speakers at the gathering was the Treasury Secretary. □ He was not a good speaker.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A speaker of a particular language is a person who speaks it, especially one who speaks it as their first language. □ Most viewers are not native English speakers. □ [+ of ] She teaches English to speakers of other languages.
3 → see also native speaker
4 N‑PROPER ; N‑COUNT In the parliament or legislature of many countries, the Speaker is the person who is in charge of meetings. □ …the Speaker of the Polish Parliament. □ Mr. Speaker, our message to the president is simple.
5 N‑COUNT A speaker is a person who is speaking. □ From a simple gesture or the speaker's tone of voice, the Japanese listener gleans the whole meaning.
6 N‑COUNT A speaker is a piece of electrical equipment, for example part of a radio or set of equipment for playing CDs or tapes, through which sound comes out. □ For a good stereo effect, the speakers should not be too wide apart. COLLOCATIONS speaker NOUN 1
noun + speaker : guest, keynote
adjective + speaker : after-dinner, motivational, public; inspirational, interesting
verb + speaker : invite; feature
speak|er|phone /spiː kə r fɔʊ n/ (speakerphones ) N‑VAR A speakerphone is a phone that has a microphone and a loudspeaker, allowing you to talk to someone without putting the phone to your ear, as well as allowing other people to hear the person you are talking to. □ …a 10-channel cordless speakerphone with 13-number memory. □ She put me on speakerphone and he heard me talking.
speak|ing /spiː k I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Speaking is the activity of giving speeches and talks. □ His work schedule still includes speaking engagements and other public appearances.
2 PHRASE You can say ' speaking as a parent' or ' speaking as a teacher', for example, to indicate that the opinion you are giving is based on your experience as a parent or as a teacher. □ [+ as ] Speaking as a journalist I'm dismayed by the pressure for pictures of combat.