I. say 1 S1 W1 /seɪ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle said /sed/, third person singular says /sez/)
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: secgan ]
1 . EXPRESS SOMETHING IN WORDS [intransitive only in negatives, transitive] 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.
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.
say how/why/who etc
Did she say what happened?
I would like to say how much we appreciate your hard work.
‘Why did she leave?’ ‘I don’t know – she didn’t say.’
say something to somebody
What did you say to her?
a terrible/silly/strange etc thing to say
What a silly thing to say!
say hello/goodbye/thank you etc (=say something to greet someone, thank someone etc)
She left without saying goodbye.
say you’re sorry (=apologize)
I’ve said I’m sorry – what more do you want?
say yes/no (to something) (=agree or refuse)
Can I go, Mum? Oh, please say yes!
say nothing/anything/something (about something)
He looked as if he was going to say something.
I wished I had said nothing about Jordi.
have anything/nothing/something to say
Does anyone else have anything to say?
Although he didn’t say so, it was clear that he was in pain.
What makes you say that (=why do you think that) ?
say to do something (=tell someone to do something)
Nina said to meet her at 4.30.
I’d like to say a few words (=make a short speech) .
‘So what are your plans now?’ ‘I’d rather not say.’
⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1553
GRAMMAR
You cannot 'say someone something' or 'say someone to do something'. Use tell :
▪
She told me (NOT said me) something shocking.
▪
He told me (NOT said me) to sit down.
You can say something about something but you cannot 'say about something'. Use talk :
▪
He did not talk about (NOT say about) his feelings.
REGISTER
In written English, people often avoid using say when referring to opinions or ideas expressed by another writer. Instead, they prefer to use a more formal verb such as argue , assert , claim , or maintain .
2 . GIVE INFORMATION [transitive not in passive] 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.
say (that)
He received a letter saying that the appointment had been cancelled.
say to do something (=give information about what you should do)
The label says to take one tablet before meals.
say who/what/how etc
The card doesn’t even say who sent the flowers.
It says here they have live music.
3 . MEAN [transitive usually in progressive] used to talk about what someone means:
What do you think the writer is trying to say in this passage?
So what you’re saying is, there’s none left.
be saying (that)
Are you saying I’m fat?
I’m not saying it’s a bad idea.
All I’m saying is that it might be better to wait a while.
4 . THINK THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE [transitive]
used to talk about something that people think is true
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.
somebody is said to be something/do something
He’s said to be the richest man in the world.
Well, you know what they say – blood’s thicker than water.
The rest, as they say, is history.
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 very clearly) what kind of person she is.
It said a lot for the manager (=it showed that he is good) that the team remained confident despite losing.
These results don’t say much for the quality of teaching (=they show that it is not very good) .
b) to show what someone is really feeling or thinking, especially without using words:
The look on her face said ‘I love you.’
something says everything/says it all
His expression said it all.
6 . SPEAK THE WORDS OF SOMETHING [transitive] to speak the words that are written in a play, poem, or prayer:
Can you say that line again, this time with more feeling?
I’ll say a prayer for you.
7 . PRONOUNCE [transitive] to pronounce a word or sound:
How do you say your last name?
8 . SUGGEST/SUPPOSE SOMETHING [transitive usually in imperative] used when suggesting or supposing that something might happen or be true
... say ...
If we put out, say, twenty chairs, would that be enough?
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?
9 . say to yourself to try to persuade yourself that something is true or not true:
I kept saying to myself that this wasn’t really happening.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
10 . I must say ( also I have to say ) used to emphasize what you are saying:
The cake does look good, I must say.
I have to say I was impressed.
11 . I can’t say (that) used to say that you do not think or feel something:
I can’t say I envy her being married to him!
12 . I would say used for giving your opinion even though other people may not agree:
I’d say he was jealous.
13 . I couldn’t say used when you do not know the answer to something:
I couldn’t say who will win.
14 . if I may say so ( also if I might say so ) formal 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.
15 . having said that 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.
16 . wouldn’t you say? used to ask someone whether they agree with the statement you have just made:
It seems very unlikely, wouldn’t you say?
17 . what do you say? used to ask someone if they agree with a suggestion:
We could go into partnership – what do you say?
What do you say we all go to a movie?
What would you say to a meal out?
18 . say no more 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!’
19 . you can say that again! used to say that you completely agree with someone:
‘It’s cold in here.’ ‘You can say that again!’
20 . 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!’
b) especially American English used to say that you agree with someone:
‘Let’s go home.’ ‘You said it! I’m tired.’
21 . who says? used to say that you do not agree with a statement, opinion etc:
Who says museum work doesn’t pay?
22 . who can say? ( also who’s to say? ) 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?
23 . you don’t say! 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
24 . say when used to ask someone to tell you when to stop pouring them a drink or serving them food because they have got enough
25 . say cheese used to tell people to smile when you are taking their photograph
26 . (just) say the word 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.
27 . I’ll say this/that (much) for somebody 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.
28 . say what you like especially British English 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.
29 . anything/whatever you say used to tell someone that you agree to do what they want, accept their opinion etc, especially because you do not want an argument
30 . can’t say fairer than that British English 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.
31 . I wouldn’t say no (to something) used to say that you would like something:
I wouldn’t say no to a coffee.
32 . I’ll say! used to say yes to a question, in a strong way:
‘Was there a big argument?’ ‘I’ll say!’
33 . let’s just say 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.
34 . shall I/we say used when you are not quite sure how to describe someone or something:
He is, shall we say, slightly unusual.
35 . what have you got to say for yourself? used to ask someone for an explanation when they have done something wrong
36 . say what? informal especially American English used when you did not hear what someone said or when you cannot believe that something is true
37 . I say British English old-fashioned
a) used to get someone’s attention:
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.’
38 . say something to sb’s face informal 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.
39 . that’s not saying much 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.
40 . to say the least 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.
41 . that is to say 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.
42 . that is not to say 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.
43 . not to say especially British English used when adding a stronger description of something:
The information is inadequate, not to say misleading.
44 . a lot/something/not much etc to be said for (doing) something 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.
45 . to say nothing of something 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.
46 . have something to say about something to be angry about something:
Her father would have something to say about it.
47 . have a lot to say for yourself to talk a lot
48 . not have much to say for yourself to not talk very much
49 . what somebody says goes used to emphasize who is in control in a situation:
My wife wants to go to Italy this year, and what she says goes!
50 . say your piece to give your opinion about something, especially something you do not like
⇨ wouldn’t say boo to a goose at ↑ boo 2 (3), ⇨ easier said than done at ↑ easy 2 (4), ⇨ enough said at ↑ enough 2 (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 ↑ word 1 (9), ⇨ well said at ↑ well 1 (13), ⇨ when all’s said and done at ↑ all 1 (17)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ things that you say
▪ say hello/goodbye
I came to say goodbye.
▪ say thank you
I just wanted to say thank you for being there.
▪ say sorry/say that you're sorry
It was probably too late to say sorry.
▪ say yes/no
Some parents are unable to say no to their children.
▪ say something/anything/nothing
I was about to say something to him when he looked up and smiled.
▪ say some words
She stopped abruptly, suddenly afraid to say the words aloud.
■ adverbs
▪ say so
If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to say so.
■ phrases
▪ a terrible/stupid/odd etc thing to say
I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but I wish he’d just go away.
▪ have something/anything/nothing to say
He usually has something to say about just about everything.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to say something
▪ say to tell someone something, using words:
‘I really ought to go,’ she said.
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Lauren said she’d probably be late.
▪ state to say something, especially in a definite or formal way – used in official contexts:
The witness stated that he had never seen the woman before.
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Please state your name and address.
▪ announce to publicly tell people about something:
The chairman announced his resignation.
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The results will be announced tomorrow.
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We will announce the winners next Sunday.
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They were announcing the train times over the loudspeaker system.
▪ declare to say something very firmly:
‘My personal life is none of your business,’ she declared.
▪ mention to talk about someone or something, especially without giving many details:
Did Tom mention anything about what happened at school?
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Your name was mentioned!
▪ express to let someone know your feelings by putting them into words:
Young children often find it difficult to express their emotions.
▪ comment to say what your opinion is about someone or something:
The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.
▪ note/remark formal to say that you have noticed that something is true – used especially in formal writing:
We have already noted that most old people live alone.
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Someone once remarked that the problem with computers is that they only give you answers.
▪ add to say something more, after what has already been said:
He added that he thought it could be done fairly cheaply.
▪ point out to mention something that seems particularly important or relevant:
Dr Graham points out that most children show some signs of abnormal behaviour.
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It’s worth pointing out that few people actually die of this disease.
▪ air to talk about your opinions, worries, or the things you disagree about: air your views/grievances/differences :
The programme will give listeners the chance to air their views about immigration.
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Workers were able to air their grievances.
▪ voice to talk publicly about your feelings or about whether you approve or disapprove of something formal : voice concern/support/doubt/fears etc :
The president has already voiced his support for the proposal.
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She voiced concern for the safety of the hostages.
■ different ways of saying something
▪ whisper to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your full voice:
‘Don’t wake the baby,’ Jenny whispered.
▪ mumble to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly:
He mumbled his thanks.
▪ mutter to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone to hear you complaining:
‘This is ridiculous,’ he muttered under his breath.
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She muttered something about having to go home early.
▪ murmur to say something in a soft slow gentle voice:
She stroked his hair and murmured, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll be all right.’
▪ growl to say something in a low angry voice:
‘As I was saying,’ Lewis growled, ‘it needs to be finished today.’
▪ snarl to say something in a nasty angry way:
‘Get out of my way!’ he snarled.
▪ exclaim to say something suddenly and loudly:
‘How beautiful!’ she exclaimed.
▪ blurt out to suddenly say something without thinking, especially something embarrassing or secret:
It was partly nervousness that had made him blurt out the question.
▪ stammer/stutter to speak with a lot of pauses and repeated sounds, because you have a speech problem, or because you are nervous or excited:
‘I’ll, I’ll only be a m-moment,’ he stammered.
II. say 2 BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
1 . the right to take part in deciding something
have some/no/little say in something
The workers had no say in how the factory was run.
The chairman has the final say (=has the right to make the final decision about something) .
2 . have your say to have the opportunity to give your opinion about something:
You’ll get a chance to have your say.
have your say in/on
Parents can have their say in the decision-making process.
III. say 3 BrE AmE interjection American English informal
used to express surprise, or to get someone’s attention so that you can tell them something:
Say, haven’t I seen you before somewhere?