show what somebody/something is like Related words and phrases
Idioms
be easier said than done(saying)to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
‘Why don't you get yourself a job?’ ‘That's easier said than done.’ before you can say Jack Robinson(old-fashioned)very quickly; in a very short time
enough saidused to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say any more
‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’ go without sayingto be very obvious or easy to predict
Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying. have something, nothing, etc. to say for yourselfto be ready, unwilling, etc. to talk or give your views on something
She doesn't have much to say for herself (= doesn't take part in conversation).He had plenty to say for himself (= he had a lot of opinions and was willing to talk).Late again—what have you got to say for yourself (= what is your excuse)? have something to say (to somebody) about somethingto be angry
He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it. having said that | that said(informal)used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it's a challenge. I dare sayused when you are saying that something is likely
I dare say you know about it already. if you don’t mind me/my saying so…used when you are going to criticize somebody or say something that might upset them
That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so. I hear what you're sayingused to tell somebody that you have listened to their opinion, especially when you are going to express a different opinion
I hear what you're saying, but you're wrong. I’ll say!(old-fashioned, informal)used for emphasis to say ‘yes’
‘Does she see him often?’ ‘I'll say! Nearly every day.’ I’m glad to say (that…)(informal)used when you are commenting on a situation and saying that you are happy about it
Most teachers, I'm glad to say, take their jobs very seriously. I’m sorry to sayused for saying that something is disappointing
He didn't accept the job, I'm sorry to say. I must say(informal)used to emphasize an opinion
Well, I must say, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week. I sayused to express surprise, shock, etc.
I say! What a huge cake!used to attract somebody’s attention or introduce a new subject of conversation
I say, can you lend me five pounds? it says a lot, very little, etc. for somebody/something(informal)it shows a good/bad quality that somebody/something has
It says a lot for her that she never lost her temper.It didn't say much for their efficiency that the order arrived a week late. I wouldn’t say no (to something)(informal)used to say that you would like something or to accept something that is offered
I wouldn't say no to a pizza.‘Tea, Brian?’ ‘I wouldn't say no.’ least said soonest mended(British English, saying)a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
the less/least said the betterthe best thing to do is say as little as possible about something
let's just sayused when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it). let us sayused when making a suggestion or giving an example
I can let you have it for, well let's say £100. mean to sayused to emphasize what you are saying or to ask somebody if they really mean what they say
I mean to say, you should have known how he would react!Do you mean to say you've lost it? needless to sayused to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious
The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved. never say die(saying)do not stop hoping
no sooner said than doneused to say that something was, or will be, done immediately
not have a good word to say for somebody/something(informal)to never say anything good about somebody/something
Nobody had a good word to say about him. not say boo to a gooseto be very shy or gentle
He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose. not to sayused to introduce a stronger way of describing something
a difficult, not to say impossible, task say cheeseused to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph
say a mouthful(North American English, informal)to say something important
You said a mouthful there, buddy. say no (to something)to refuse an offer, a suggestion, etc.
If you don't invest in this, you're saying no to a potential fortune. say no more(informal)used to say that you understand exactly what somebody means or is trying to say, so it is unnecessary to say anything more
‘They went to Paris together.’ ‘Say no more!’ say your pieceto say exactly what you feel or think
say what?(North American English, informal)used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’ say whenused to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough
say/give the wordto give an order; to make a request
Just say the word, and I'll go. suffice (it) to say (that)…used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean
I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster. that is to sayin other words
three days from now, that is to say on Friday that said | having said thatused to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
that’s not saying muchused to say that something is not very unusual or special
She's a better player than me, but that's not saying much (= because I am a very bad player). there’s no sayingused to say that it is impossible to predict what might happen
There's no saying how he'll react. there’s something, not much, etc. to be said for something/doing somethingthere are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with something
to say the leastwithout making something seem better, worse, more serious, etc. than it really is
I was surprised, to say the least. to say nothing of somethingused to introduce a further fact or thing in addition to those already mentioned
It was too expensive, to say nothing of the time it wasted. well said!(informal)I agree completely
‘We must stand up for ourselves.’ ‘Well said, John.’ what do/would you say (to something/doing something)(informal)would you like something/to do something?
What would you say to eating out tonight?Let's go away for a weekend. What do you say? whatever you say(informal)used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue
what/whatever somebody says, goes(informal, often humorous)a particular person must be obeyed
Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and what she says, goes. when all is said and donewhen everything is considered
I know you're upset, but when all's said and done it isn't exactly a disaster. who can say (…)?used to say that nobody knows the answer to a question
Who can say what will happen next year? who says (…)?(informal)used to disagree with a statement or an opinion
Who says I can't do it? who’s to say (…)?used to say that something might happen or might have happened in a particular way, because nobody really knows
Who's to say we would not have succeeded if we'd had more time? you can say that again(informal)I agree with you completely
‘He's in a bad mood today.’ ‘You can say that again!’ you can’t say fairer (than that)(British English, informal)used to say that you think the offer you are making is reasonable or generous
Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that. you don’t say!(informal, often ironic)used to express surprise
‘They left without us.’ ‘You don't say!’ (= I'm not surprised) you said it!(British English)used to agree with somebody when they say something about themselves that you would not have been rude enough to say yourself
‘I know I'm not the world's greatest cook.’ ‘You said it!’(North American English)used to agree with somebody’s suggestion