My Colleague

I love that she doesn't stop talking but she has to understand that other things need to be happening! She needs to eat, nap or even be silent once in a while and let me talk for a change!!!:)))))))

"hold your horses" is used when you have a wild idea and someone stops you from rushing into it. I think in this context, you mean be quiet.

When she starts talking, she never stops unless you pursposely interrupt her. I tried many tactics with her but to no avail! She is programmed to talk! I once whispered once in her ear, "Darling, I really like you but you talk too much!" I walk here and there doing some stuff while she talks, but that's OK with her. She could talk to ghosts! 

I wonder where she gets these endless soliloquies?

My Colleague

I love that she doesn't stop talking but she has to understand that other things need to be happening! She needs to eat, nap or even hold her horses and let me talk for a change!!! :)))))))

That emoticon looked really weird... I started thinking of a cascade of double-chins. XD

When she starts talking, she never stops unless you have virtually dropped a live bomb something around. I have tried many tactics with her but to no avail! She is programmed hardwired! I whispered once in her ear, "Darling, I really like you but you are talking way too much!" I walk here and there doing some stuff while she is talking but that's OK with her. She could talk to ghosts.

I wonder where she gets these non-stop series of monologues from!

I found Michael's correction of tacks very interesting. It's not tactics as such, but instead the method of sailing a vessel into the wind (eg. tack to starboard). The boat manages to move in a zig-zag way as it faces the oncoming wind.  It really enhances the image of you dealing with your very talkative friend!  There's also the idiom to try a different tack (ie. a different approach).

Programmed is fine, but hardwired implies that she simply is not built that way. :)

She can talk to ghosts seems either factual or that you really, really don't care and have shut her out - ie. you are a ghost.  I'm thinking of the lovely Vasco Rossi song Dillo alla Luna (Say It to the Moon) here. :)  Using could gives more of a supposition: she could talk to ghosts if she ran out of people.

I'm trying to think of other idioms suitable for a chatterbox or motormouth.  To talk until the cows come home is one. Or, she could talk the leg off a table (and talk it back on again). Any others?

Great little vignette. :)

My Colleague

I love that she doesn't stop talking but she has to understand that other things need to be happening! She needs to eat, nap or even hold her horses and let me talk for a change!!!:)))))))

When she starts talking, she never stops unless you bomb (throw ?) something around. I tried many tacks with her but no way! She is programmed! I whispered once in her ear, "Darling, I really like you but you are talking too much!" I walk here and there doing some stuff (things ?) while she is talking but that's OK with her. She can talk to ghosts.

I wonder where she gets these non-stop series of monologues from!

Notes: tacks are changes of direction or approach. It implies that you try to approach the problem from many different directions.

          if you did use "tact" you would need to say "tactful approachs"

I have worked with 3 people like this. They were joyful moments watching their effects on others. I never had to bomb one of them though, your office must be really chaotic.