DictionarygasIdle talk
verb

gas

To talk at length with little substance.

The old neighbors gas about nothing in particular for hours.

Etymology

The talk sense compares speech with insubstantial gas. The verb names going on at length while contributing little solid information or substance.

More examples

  • He spent the afternoon gassing with his friends.
  • Stop gassing and help us finish the job.
  • They had been gassing away long after the meeting ended.

Forms

gas · gases · gasses · gassed · gassing

Similar words

chatter
Does not necessarily suggest that the talk lacks substance.
prattle
Suggests childish or inconsequential talk rather than mere length.