"The chancellor did have a preliminary conversation with me, but he didn't feel the idea was fully developed."

The third, a silent listener to the preliminary conversation, was Durling, the private detective.

The meeting tomorrow has been characterized by the Mets as a preliminary conversation.

We're still making preliminary conversation, having a drink, two diplomats playing the diplomatic z game.

Menem said that there had been only preliminary conversations and an alliance did not result.

With a nod from the governor, the preliminary conversations began.

He said he had held preliminary conversations, but added, "Nothing's definite."

But, she continued, the one-agency idea would not gain ground without support from the food industry, with which she has had some preliminary conversations.

Mason asked casually, as though he were making preliminary conversation.

My preliminary conversations with patients often sound like small talk.