Trapped in small talk? 5 tips to exit a conversation gracefully without awkwardness

How many more ‘hmms’ do you have left in you?

Dubai-based copy editor Smithashree (name changed on request) recalls saying enough ‘hmms’ to fill a notebook. A visitor had dropped by her office, and an hour later, she was still stuck in the conversation—frantically searching for a polite escape. Later, her boss had a valid question: ‘Why didn’t you just say you had work to do?’

Yikes.

As Smithashree admits, she never really knows how to exit a conversation gracefully. “It just sounds rude,” she says.

Well she isn’t alone: We’ve all been there in conversations that don’t end, whether it’s someone airing a long-held grudge, oversharing personal details, or diving deep into conspiracy theories. It’s tough to pull away, especially when the other person is fully engaged in the discussion. But you have things to do—maybe a meeting to attend, a cab to catch, or simply something else you’d rather be doing.

So, how do you gracefully exit an awkward conversation? Katerina Olesky, an Abu Dhabi-based behavioral psychologist, and Chandrika Singh, a corporate wellness expert, share expert-backed strategies to help you leave smoothly. “First and foremost, keep your tone friendly and polite, and avoid body language that signals impatience, like eye rolls, fidgeting, or distracted ‘hmms.’ People can sometimes get caught up in conversation, and that’s okay,” explains Olesky. “It’s a two-way street—sometimes, you might be excited about something, while the other person really needs to go.”

The polite interruption

Sometimes, you just need to jump in before things get even more unbearable. Try a gentle yet firm approach, explains Olesky. “Maybe something like, ‘I hate to cut this short, but I just remembered I need to check in with someone. Let’s catch up another time.’"

This works because it acknowledges the conversation while giving you a plausible reason to exit. Just make sure you actually walk away afterwards, or risk getting roped back in.

The exit with a compliment

Always be a little friendly. Give a compliment, if you like. It’s a great way to wrap things up smoothly, says Singh. So, you can try something like, ‘This has been such an interesting chat. You really know your stuff. I would love to hear more, but I have to run.’”

It leaves the other person feeling good while giving you a clean break. Win-win!

A washroom break

If all else fails, the good old ‘I need to use the restroom’ trick never disappoints. A simple’ ‘Excuse me, I just need to step away for a moment’ gets you out with minimal explanation.

The  ‘Oh there’s XYZ’ strategy

Spot someone you know (or pretend to)? Perfect. Use them as your graceful escape route, says Olesky. Maybe something like, ‘Oh wow, I just saw [friend, colleague] over there! I’ve been meaning to catch up with them. Let’s talk soon!’”

This works best in social settings where mingling is expected.

The time check excuse

When in doubt, blame the clock. Look at your phone or watch and say something like:

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize how late it’s getting! I need to attend a meeting, or catch my cab.”

The beauty of this excuse? No one can argue with time.

The direct, yet friendly approach

If you’re feeling bold, you can always just be honest. As Olesky suggests, you can just say, ‘I’ve really enjoyed chatting, but I need to step away now. Let’s talk again soon!’

It’s simple, to the point, and leaves no room for awkward lingering.

The fake call or text, but use sparingly

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you’re truly stuck, a quick ‘pretend phone call’ can be your lifeline. Just glance at your phone and say: ‘Oh, I need to take this call—great chatting with you!’

(Just don’t get caught faking it!)

Exiting an awkward conversation doesn’t have to be…well, awkward. With a little finesse, you can slip away gracefully while keeping things polite. Just remember, you’re not obligated to stay in a conversation forever, you’re allowed to step away. And the smoother you do it, the less awkward it gets.