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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | secgan |
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say1 S1 W1
past tense and past participle said, third person singular says
past tense and past participle said, third person singular says1 to express an idea, feeling, thought etc using words : 
'I'm so tired,' she said.'Don't cry,' he said softly. Don't believe anything he says.
express something in words
[intransitive only in negatives, transitive]'I'm so tired,' she said.'Don't cry,' he said softly.Don't believe anything he says. say (that) A spokesman said that the company had improved its safety standards. I always said I would buy a motorbike when I had enough money.
A spokesman said that the company had improved its safety standards.I always said I would buy a motorbike when I had enough money. say how/why/who etc Did she say what happened? I would like to say how much we appreciate your hard work.
Did she say what happened?I would like to say how much we appreciate your hard work. say hello/goodbye/thank you etc (=say something to greet someone, thank someone etc) She left without saying goodbye.
She left without saying goodbye. say nothing/anything/something (about something) He looked as if he was going to say something. I wished I had said nothing about Jordi.
He looked as if he was going to say something.I wished I had said nothing about Jordi.2 to give information in the form of written words, numbers, or pictures - used about signs, clocks, letters, messages etc : The sign said 'Back in 10 minutes'. The clock said twenty past three.
give information
[transitive not in passive]The sign said 'Back in 10 minutes'.The clock said twenty past three. say (that) He received a letter saying that the appointment had been cancelled.
He received a letter saying that the appointment had been cancelled. say to do something (=gives information about what you should do) The label says to take one tablet before meals.
The label says to take one tablet before meals.3 used to talk about what someone means : So what you're saying is, there's none left.
mean
[transitive usually in progressive]So what you're saying is, there's none left.4 used to talk about something that people think is true
think that something is true
[transitive] they say/people say/ it is said (that) They say that she has been all over the world. It is said that he was a spy during the war.
They say that she has been all over the world.It is said that he was a spy during the war.5
show/be a sign of something
[transitive]a) to show clearly that something is true about someone or something's character : The kind of car you drive says what kind of person you are. The fact that she never apologized says a lot about (=shows something very clearly) what kind of person she is. It said a lot for the manager that the team remained confident despite losing (=it showed that he is good).
The kind of car you drive says what kind of person you are.The fact that she never apologized says a lot about (=shows something very clearly) what kind of person she is. It said a lot for the manager that the team remained confident despite losing (=it showed that he is good).b) to show what someone really is feeling or thinking, especially without using words : The look on her face said 'I love you'.
The look on her face said 'I love you'.6 to speak the words that are written in a play, poem, or prayer : Can you say that line again, this time with more feeling?
speak the words of something
[transitive]Can you say that line again, this time with more feeling?8 used when suggesting or supposing that something might happen or be true
suggest/suppose something
[transitive usually in imperative] let's say (that)/just say (that) Let's say your plan fails, then what? Just say you won the lottery - what would you do?
Let's say your plan fails, then what?Just say you won the lottery - what would you do?9 to try to persuade yourself that something is true or not true : I kept saying to myself that this wasn't really happening.
say to yourself
I kept saying to myself that this wasn't really happening.10 spoken used to emphasize what you are saying : The cake does look good, I must say. I have to say I was impressed.
I must say
also I have to sayThe cake does look good, I must say.I have to say I was impressed.11 spoken used to say that you do not think or feel something : I can't say I envy her being married to him!
I can't say (that)
I can't say I envy her being married to him!12 spoken used for giving your opinion even though other people may not agree : I'd say he was jealous.
I would say
I'd say he was jealous.13 spoken used when you do not know the answer to something : I couldn't say who will win.
I couldn't say
I couldn't say who will win.14 spoken used to be polite when saying something that may embarrass or offend the person you are talking to : That's just the point, Mr Glover, if I may say so.
if I may say so
also if I might say so formalThat's just the point, Mr Glover, if I may say so.15 spoken used to say that something is true in spite of what you have just said : The diet can make you slim without exercise. Having said that, however, exercise is important too.
having said that
The diet can make you slim without exercise. Having said that, however, exercise is important too.16 spoken used to ask someone whether they agree with the statement you have just made : It seems very unlikely, wouldn't you say?
wouldn't you say?
It seems very unlikely, wouldn't you say?17 spoken used to ask someone if they agree with a suggestion : We could go into partnership - what do you say?
what do you say?
We could go into partnership - what do you say?18 spoken used to say that you understand what someone means, although they have not said it directly : 'I saw him leaving her house at 6.30 this morning.' 'Say no more!'
say no more
'I saw him leaving her house at 6.30 this morning.' 'Say no more!'19 spoken used to say that you completely agree with someone : 'It's cold in here.' 'You can say that again!'
you can say that again!
'It's cold in here.' 'You can say that again!'20 spoken
you said it!
a) used when someone says something that you agree with, although you would not have actually said it yourself because it is not polite : 'I was always stubborn as a kid.' 'You said it!'
'I was always stubborn as a kid.' 'You said it!'b) especially American English used to say that you agree with someone : 'Let's go home.' 'You said it! I'm tired.'
'Let's go home.' 'You said it! I'm tired.'21 spoken used to say that you do not agree with a statement, opinion etc : Who says museum work doesn't pay?
who says?
Who says museum work doesn't pay?22 spoken used to say that nobody can know something : Who can say what will happen between now and then? Many women believe that skin cream makes their skin look younger, and who's to say that they're wrong?
who can say?
also who's to sayWho can say what will happen between now and then?Many women believe that skin cream makes their skin look younger, and who's to say that they're wrong?23 spoken used to show you are surprised by what someone has told you - also often used when you are not at all surprised by what someone has told you
you don't say!
24 spoken used to ask someone to tell you when to stop pouring them a drink or serving them food because they have got enough
say when
26 spoken used to tell someone that they have only to ask and you will do what they want : Anywhere you want to go, just say the word.
(just) say the word
Anywhere you want to go, just say the word.27 spoken used when you want to mention something good about someone, especially when you have been criticizing them : I will say this for Tom - at least he's consistent. You've got determination - I'll say that for you.
I'll say this/that (much) for somebody
I will say this for Tom - at least he's consistent.You've got determination - I'll say that for you.28 spoken used when giving an opinion that you are sure is correct, even if the person you are talking to might disagree with you : Say what you like about him, he's a very good writer.
say what you like
especially British EnglishSay what you like about him, he's a very good writer.29 spoken used to tell someone that you agree to do what they want, accept their opinion etc, especially because you do not want an argument
anything/whatever you say
30 spoken used to say that you have made the best offer that you can : If I win, I'll buy you a drink. Can't say fairer than that.
can't say fairer than that
British EnglishIf I win, I'll buy you a drink. Can't say fairer than that.31 spoken used to say that you would like something : I wouldn't say no to coffee.
I wouldn't say no (to something)
I wouldn't say no to coffee.32 spoken used to say yes to a question, in a strong way : 'Was there a big argument?' 'I'll say!'
I'll say!
'Was there a big argument?' 'I'll say!'33 spoken used when you do not want to give a lot of details about something : Let's just say she wasn't very pleased about it.
let's just say
Let's just say she wasn't very pleased about it.34 spoken used when you are not quite sure how to describe someone or something : He is, shall we say, slightly unusual.
shall I/we say
He is, shall we say, slightly unusual.35 spoken used to ask someone for an explanation when they have done something wrong
what have you got to say for yourself?
36 spoken used when you did not hear what someone said or when you cannot believe that something is true
say what?
informal especially American English37 spoken
I say
British English old-fashioneda) used to get someone's attention : I say, don't I know you?
I say, don't I know you?b) used before giving your reaction to something : 'My husband's broken his leg.' 'I say! I'm sorry to hear that.'
'My husband's broken his leg.' 'I say! I'm sorry to hear that.'38 to criticize someone or say something unpleasant directly to them instead of saying it to someone else : I knew they wanted me to leave even though they wouldn't say it to my face.
say something to somebody's face
informalI knew they wanted me to leave even though they wouldn't say it to my face.39 used to say that it is not surprising that someone or something is better than another person or thing because the other person or thing is so bad : This version is better than the original but that's not saying much.
that's not saying much
This version is better than the original but that's not saying much.40 if something says it all, it clearly shows how someone feels or what a situation is really like : Her smile said it all.
something says it all
Her smile said it all.41 used to say that you could have described something, criticized someone etc a lot more severely than you have : Jane could have been more considerate, to say the least.
to say the least
Jane could have been more considerate, to say the least.42 used before giving more details or being more exact about something : They, that's to say Matt and John, were arguing about what to do.
that is to say
They, that's to say Matt and John, were arguing about what to do.43 used to make sure the person you are talking to does not think something that is not true : I'm quite happy in my job but that's not to say I'm going to do it for the rest of my life.
that is not to say
I'm quite happy in my job but that's not to say I'm going to do it for the rest of my life.44 used when adding a stronger description of something : The information is inadequate, not to say misleading.
not to say
especially British EnglishThe information is inadequate, not to say misleading.45 used to say that there are a lot of or not many advantages to something : There's a lot to be said for taking a few days off now and then. It was a town with very little to be said for it.
nothing/something/not much etc to be said for (doing) something
There's a lot to be said for taking a few days off now and then.It was a town with very little to be said for it.46 used to mention another thing involved in what you have just been talking about : It wasn't much for three years' work, to say nothing of the money it had cost.
to say nothing of something
It wasn't much for three years' work, to say nothing of the money it had cost.47 to be angry about something : Her father would have something to say about it.
have something to say about something
Her father would have something to say about it.50 used to emphasize who is in control in a situation : My wife wants to go to Italy this year, and what she says goes!
what somebody says goes
My wife wants to go to Italy this year, and what she says goes!➔ wouldn't say boo to a goose
at boo2 (3); ➔ easier said than done
at easy2 (4); ➔ enough said
at enough2 (6); ➔ it goes without saying
at go without (2); ➔ needless to say
at needless (1); ➔ no sooner said than done
at soon (9); ➔ not say/breathe a word
at word1 (9); ➔ well said
at well1 (13); ➔ when all's said and done
at all1 (17)WORD CHOICE:WORD CHOICE: say, tell, give, ask You use say when you are mentioning someone's exact words • 'Hello,' she said. • Someone said, 'Let's go!'Say can be followed by 'that' • He said that he was tired. In speech people often leave out 'that' • They said there had been a mistake.Say can be followed by 'something', 'anything', 'nothing', or 'so' • Did you say something? • Nobody dared to say anything. • You have to come - Dad said so. It can also be followed by 'goodbye' or 'hello' • I'll just go and say hello to David. Apart from these uses, say is not normally followed by an object. For example, it cannot be followed by 'a story', 'a lie', 'some information', or 'an answer'. You tell a story, a joke, a lie, or the truth • They told a funny story about their trip. You give information, an order, an instruction, or an answer • He gave no reply.!! You do not say a question. You ask a question • Can I ask a question? You can say something to someone • Has he said something to you? When talking about giving information, it is more usual to say that you tell someone something • Clare told us something interesting (NOT said us something...). • Can anyone tell me what time it is? (NOT say to me what...) You can tell someone about something • Did you tell Lucy about the party? (NOT say to Lucy about...) You can say to do something, but it is more usual to tell someone to do something • The teacher told us to open our books (NOT said us/said to us to...).
