📒 to speak or tell somebody something, using words
- + speech ‘Hello!’ she said.
- ‘That was marvellous,’ said Daniel.
- A legendary football coach once said, ‘Winning is everything.’
📒 to repeat words, phrases, etc.
- to say a prayer
- Try to say that line with more conviction.
📒 to give particular information or instructions
- + speech The notice said ‘Keep Out’.
- say something The clock said three o'clock.
- say (that)… The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours.
📒 to express an opinion on something
- say something Say what you like (= although you disagree) about her, she's a fine singer.
- I'll say this for them, they're a very efficient company.
- Anna thinks I'm lazy—what do you say (= what is your opinion)?
📒 to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to somebody by using words, looks, movements, etc.
- say something His angry glance said it all.
- Just what is the artist trying to say in her work?
- say something about somebody/something The museum's architects have managed to say something about our national story.
📒 to show, sometimes indirectly, what somebody/something is like
- say something That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true)
- say something about somebody/something The incident says an awful lot about his character.
- say something to somebody This says to me that there is more here than you are letting on.
📒 to suggest or give something as an example or a possibility
- say something/somebody You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months.
- Let’s take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens…
- say (that)… Say you lose your job: what would you do then?
📒 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.’
📒 very quickly; in a very short time
📒 used to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say any more
- ‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’
📒 to be very obvious or easy to predict
- Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying.
📒 to 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)?
📒 to be angry
- He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it.
📒 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.
📒 used when you are saying that something is likely
- I dare say you know about it already.
📒 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.
📒 used 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.
📒 used for emphasis to say ‘yes’
- ‘Does she see him often?’ ‘I'll say! Nearly every day.’
📒 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.
📒 used for saying that something is disappointing
- He didn't accept the job, I'm sorry to say.
📒 used to emphasize an opinion
- Well, I must say, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week.
📒 used to express surprise, shock, etc.
📒 used to attract somebody’s attention or introduce a new subject of conversation
- I say, can you lend me five pounds?
📒 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.
📒 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.’
📒 a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
📒 the best thing to do is say as little as possible about something
📒 used 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).
📒 used when making a suggestion or giving an example
- I can let you have it for, well let's say £100.
📒 used 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?
📒 used to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious
- The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.
📒 do not stop hoping
📒 used to say that something was, or will be, done immediately
📒 to never say anything good about somebody/something
- Nobody had a good word to say about him.
📒 to be very shy or gentle
- He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose.
📒 used to introduce a stronger way of describing something
- a difficult, not to say impossible, task
📒 used to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph
📒 to say something important
- You said a mouthful there, buddy.
📒 to refuse an offer, a suggestion, etc.
- If you don't invest in this, you're saying no to a potential fortune.
📒 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!’
📒 to say exactly what you feel or think
📒 used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
- ‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’
📒 used to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough
📒 to give an order; to make a request
- Just say the word, and I'll go.
📒 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.
📒 in other words
- three days from now, that is to say on Friday
📒 used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
📒 used 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).
📒 used to say that it is impossible to predict what might happen
- There's no saying how he'll react.
📒 there are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with something
📒 without making something seem better, worse, more serious, etc. than it really is
- I was surprised, to say the least.
📒 used 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.
📒 I agree completely
- ‘We must stand up for ourselves.’ ‘Well said, John.’
📒 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?
📒 used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue
📒 a particular person must be obeyed
- Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and what she says, goes.
📒 when everything is considered
- I know you're upset, but when all's said and done it isn't exactly a disaster.
📒 used to say that nobody knows the answer to a question
- Who can say what will happen next year?
📒 used to disagree with a statement or an opinion
📒 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?
📒 I agree with you completely
- ‘He's in a bad mood today.’ ‘You can say that again!’
📒 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.
📒 used to express surprise
- ‘They left without us.’ ‘You don't say!’ (= I'm not surprised)
📒 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!’
📒 used to agree with somebody’s suggestion