A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

taking one thing with another • what with one
thing and another
taking one thing with another —considering every aspect of
take the time
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the situation: Taking one thing with another, I should say
that the press is slightly freer than it was.
what with one thing and another —because of various duties,
happenings, etc.: What with one thing and another I forgot
to tell you we couldn’t come.
tale that is told • twice-told tale
tale that is told —said of smth. gone by; of smth. which is
over and done with: The path of history is strewn with dead
civilizations. Today they are all as a tale that is told.
twice-told tale —a hackneyed or trite story: To many of my
readers all I have written will come as a twice-told tale, since
thousands of men have undergone similar experiences.
talk about something • talking about something
talk about something —is used to emphasize the significance
of the thing mentioned: Did you see the film last night? Talk
about laugh! I’ve never laughed so much in my life.
talking about something —(also: talking of something ) is used
to introduce once again the subject that has just been men-
tioned: The weather affects how we think, move, and feel.
Talking about the weather, it is hot and dry down here.
talk at large • talk large
talk at large —talk at length, with details: We have talked
at large on the merits of the many different types of boats.
talk large —(coll.) speak boastfully (also: talk big ): We will
know soon enough if Mr. Johnson is going to continue to talk
large and act small.
talk at someone • talk to someone
talk at someone —speak to a person without paying attention
to his reaction: I wish he could talk to the class in a more
interesting way, instead of just talking at them as if they were
not human.
talk to someone —(also: talk with someone) 
1
. have a conver-
sation with a person: “When you talk to the man upstairs,”
he said, “I want you to tell him something.” 2. reprove or
scold a person: I’ll talk to that boy when he gets in! He won’t
bother you again.