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to say previously unspoken thoughts
to start saying
to court someone
長年の沈黙を破り、彼女は本音を言い始めた。
Breaking years of silence, she finally began to voice her true feelings.
彼が不満を言い始めて、会議は長引いた。
Once he started airing his long-held complaints, the meeting dragged on.
一人が言い始めると、皆が続いた。
When one person started to voice their thoughts, everyone else followed suit.