The present disclosure relates generally to a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a portable terminal and method for controlling multilateral conversation in a portable terminal. The method includes detecting an event for a one-to-one conversation with a particular person during a multilateral conversation. The method also includes activating a one-to-one conversation function in response to the detection of the event. The method further includes sending data entered to an input window to the particular person using the activated one-to-one conversation function.