Trying to find a good word for 'a small discussion' or perhaps 'a focused discussion'

Question

Almost like the opposite of 'palaver'.  I like the word 'palaver' but it generally (as I understand it) means a needlessly long conversation.  I'm thinking more like a short, or intensely focused conversation.  Ideally not a common word like 'chat', which is so generic as to mean any kind of short talk.

Edit:

I'm pretty flexible on the context, but for the sake of scoping the question, let's say it's between a handful of colleagues with the intent of building understanding or figuring something out.

Nuclear Hoagie · Accepted Answer

Depending on the context, this could be called a breakout session. This term is typically used at academic/industry conferences, and refers to time set aside for smaller groups of people to discuss a narrow focus area related to the main topic of the conference. It's useful for conveying the focused nature of the discussion compared to the relatively broad content of the meeting.

Correct answer by Nuclear Hoagie on August 16, 2021

aparente001 · Answer

You want to check in with your colleagues [on _______ (topic)].  That implies a specific, focused discussion, in which each person speaks only briefly.

I couldn't find the right definition, I'm sorry.

Example: "Let's check in again in a week's time, to see how everyone is doing with their assignments."

Peter Point · Answer

May I suggest the word confab as in the following scenario:

The team from the PR department did a great job yesterday, holding a confab over lunch that produced the outline of our new advertising campaign.

confab: informal
"An informal private conversation or discussion";

North American
"A meeting or conference of members of a particular group."
(Oxford Living Dictionary)

Janene Y. · Answer

Brainstorming, a brainstorm session or "we were all at the round table, each of us bent forward at various angles, as if the closer our faces were to the blueprints the more successful the brainstorming session."
hope this helps!

Kevin B Leigh · Answer

I know it's sort of slang but the term  “coffee klatch” is a great way to express conversational chat, as in, "the three office workers were engaged in a coffee klatch, as their boss watched from behind the cubicle."
I also love to use the word gabbing, as in "the two teenagers were gabbing about their boyfriends."

Trying to find a good word for 'a small discussion' or perhaps 'a focused discussion'

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