1say 
/ˈseɪ/ verb
says /ˈseɪ/ verb /ˈsɛz/; said /ˈsɛd/; say·ing /ˈsejɪŋ/ 1 : to use your voice to express (something) with words [+ obj] ▪ “Is anybody there?” he said. ▪ “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter. ▪ I said three words before he interrupted me again. ▪ I just stopped by to say hello. ▪ He left without saying goodbye. ▪ I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me. ▪ She said something about going to the store after work. ▪ He said something in French. ▪ Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you. ▪ Don't believe a word he says. ▪ Please be quiet. I have something to say. ▪ Listen closely, because I'm not going to say this again/twice. ▪ What did you say? ▪ Who shall I say is calling, Sir? ▪ Did she say how to get there? ▪ I said to myself, “I can do it.” ▪ He said (that) he was a doctor. ▪ I can honestly say (that) I had never seen that man before today. ▪ I already said (that) I was sorry. ▪ You know what they say, “If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.” ▪ As people/they say, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.” ▪ Her eyes are hazel, which is to say [=which means that] they are greenish brown. ▪ “A word of advice: don't mention the war.” “Say no more [=I understand you; you do not need to explain it further]—I'll stay off the subject!” [no obj] ▪ “What happened next?” “I'd rather not say.” 2 [+ obj] : to express (an opinion)
▪ She thinks I should break up with him. What do you say? [=what's your opinion?] ▪ What would/do you say to seeing a movie tonight? [=would you like to see a movie tonight?] ▪ “After all, he was the last person to see her alive.” “Are you saying that (you think) he killed her?” ▪ I say you're wrong. [=my opinion is that you're wrong] ▪ I wouldn't say (that) he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist]; he's just OK. ▪ They say (that) you should drink eight glasses of water a day. = It's said that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. [=the opinion of people who know about this subject is that you should drink eight glasses of water a day] ▪ New England is said to be [=many people think New England is] very beautiful in the Fall. ▪ “Is the island nice?” “So they/people say.” ▪ I must say it was quite a surprise to hear from him. = I have to say it was quite a surprise to hear from him. ▪ I'm not saying we shouldn't buy the car. All I'm saying is that we should think about it some more. ▪ I didn't really enjoy the movie, but that's not to say it was bad. ▪ Say what you like (about it), I thought it was a good movie. ▪ Seeing your reaction, I would say that you're jealous that he has a new girlfriend. ▪ The dress seems too fancy for the party, wouldn't you say? [=don't you agree?; do you think the same thing?] ▪ I'll say this for him—he's very generous with his money. ▪ “She's a great singer!” “If you say so.” 3 : to express (a fact) with certainty [+ obj] ▪ No one can say for sure whether it will happen. ▪ It is hard to say what caused the injury. ▪ There's no saying [=it is impossible to know] how many people died in the earthquake. [no obj] ▪ “When will you be done?” “I couldn't/can't say.” [=I don't know] ◊This sense is often used in indirect questions beginning with who to express disagreement or to say that something cannot be known for sure.
▪ Who says I can't do it? I can do anything if I put my mind to it. ▪ Who's to say they wouldn't have won if their team was healthy? ▪ Who can say what will happen? [=no one knows what will happen] 4 : to give (an order) : to tell someone to do (something) [+ obj] ▪ I said leave me alone! ▪ “Why do we have to go?” “Because your father and I said so.” ▪ Mom said to wait here. ▪ She's the boss. What she says goes! [=you have to do what she tells you to do] ▪ “Let's try installing the program one more time.” “Whatever you say—you're the expert.” ▪ “Don't you ever bring that subject up again, do you hear me?!” “Okay, okay. Whatever you say.” [no obj] ▪ Don't start until I say (so/to). 5 [+ obj] : to pronounce (a word)
▪ How do you say your name? 6 [+ obj] : to repeat or recite (something)
▪ We always say our prayers before going to bed. ▪ Can you say the poem from memory? ▪ A new priest said Mass this morning. 7 [+ obj] : to use written words to give (information)
▪ What does the card say? ▪ Does the article say how the fire happened? ▪ The letter says that I've been accepted to the college. ▪ It says here that there will be a special guest at the concert. ▪ The instructions say to add two eggs. 8 [+ obj] : to show or indicate (something) by using numbers, pictures, etc.
▪ The clock says five minutes after ten. ▪ The calendar says that Christmas falls on a Monday. 9 [+ obj] : to express (a meaning, emotion, etc.) without using words
▪ She likes art that really says something. ▪ The kind of car you drive says a lot about the kind of person you are. ▪ The look on her face said “I'm sorry.” ▪ His face said it all. = His face said everything. [=his face showed how he felt] 10 a — used to suggest an example or possibility ▪ Let's pick a math problem. Say problem number 3. ▪ Say you do get accepted to the college. Will you go? ▪ We could leave on any day—say on Monday. ▪ Let's say you're right, for argument's sake. ▪ Suppose you won, shall we say, one million dollars. What would you do with it?
b — used to suggest a possible or approximate amount, value, etc. ▪ The property is worth, say, four million dollars. = The property is worth four million dollars, say. [=the property is worth about four million dollars]
▪ She thinks I should break up with him. What do you say? [=what's your opinion?] ▪ What would/do you say to seeing a movie tonight? [=would you like to see a movie tonight?] ▪ “After all, he was the last person to see her alive.” “Are you saying that (you think) he killed her?” ▪ I say you're wrong. [=my opinion is that you're wrong] ▪ I wouldn't say (that) he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist]; he's just OK. ▪ They say (that) you should drink eight glasses of water a day. = It's said that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. [=the opinion of people who know about this subject is that you should drink eight glasses of water a day] ▪ New England is said to be [=many people think New England is] very beautiful in the Fall. ▪ “Is the island nice?” “So they/people say.” ▪ I must say it was quite a surprise to hear from him. = I have to say it was quite a surprise to hear from him. ▪ I'm not saying we shouldn't buy the car. All I'm saying is that we should think about it some more. ▪ I didn't really enjoy the movie, but that's not to say it was bad. ▪ Say what you like (about it), I thought it was a good movie. ▪ Seeing your reaction, I would say that you're jealous that he has a new girlfriend. ▪ The dress seems too fancy for the party, wouldn't you say? [=don't you agree?; do you think the same thing?] ▪ I'll say this for him—he's very generous with his money. ▪ “She's a great singer!” “If you say so.”
▪ Who says I can't do it? I can do anything if I put my mind to it. ▪ Who's to say they wouldn't have won if their team was healthy? ▪ Who can say what will happen? [=no one knows what will happen]
▪ How do you say your name?
▪ We always say our prayers before going to bed. ▪ Can you say the poem from memory? ▪ A new priest said Mass this morning.
▪ What does the card say? ▪ Does the article say how the fire happened? ▪ The letter says that I've been accepted to the college. ▪ It says here that there will be a special guest at the concert. ▪ The instructions say to add two eggs.
▪ The clock says five minutes after ten. ▪ The calendar says that Christmas falls on a Monday.
▪ She likes art that really says something. ▪ The kind of car you drive says a lot about the kind of person you are. ▪ The look on her face said “I'm sorry.” ▪ His face said it all. = His face said everything. [=his face showed how he felt]
b — used to suggest a possible or approximate amount, value, etc. ▪ The property is worth, say, four million dollars. = The property is worth four million dollars, say. [=the property is worth about four million dollars]
can't say fairer than that
Brit, informal — used to say that you cannot make a better offer than the one you have made ▪ What do you think? I can't say fairer than that, now, can I?
enough said — see 3enough
fair to say — see 1fair
go without saying
: to be obvious and true
▪ It goes without saying that I'll do whatever I can to help you.
▪ It goes without saying that I'll do whatever I can to help you.
hasten to say — see hasten
have anything/something (etc.) to say about 1 : to have an opinion to express about (something)
▪ I asked what she thought about the movie, but she didn't have anything to say about it. 2 : to have the ability to influence (something)
▪ “I'm going to the party.” “Not if I have anything/something to say about it.” [=not if I can stop you]
▪ I asked what she thought about the movie, but she didn't have anything to say about it.
▪ “I'm going to the party.” “Not if I have anything/something to say about it.” [=not if I can stop you]
have something/nothing/much (etc.) to say for yourself
: to be able or unable to say something that explains what you are doing, have done, etc.
▪ I asked him about school, but he didn't have much to say for himself. ▪ Your teacher says you were caught cheating. What do you have to say for yourself?
▪ I asked him about school, but he didn't have much to say for himself. ▪ Your teacher says you were caught cheating. What do you have to say for yourself?
having said that or that said
: despite what I just said
▪ Their work has been fairly good. Having said that, I still think there's a lot of room for improvement. ▪ Much of the book was very dull. That said, I have to admit that the ending was extremely clever.
▪ Their work has been fairly good. Having said that, I still think there's a lot of room for improvement. ▪ Much of the book was very dull. That said, I have to admit that the ending was extremely clever.
I dare say — see 1dare
if I may say so also if I might say so
— used to express criticism or disagreement in a polite way ▪ The whole affair—if I may say so—was a waste of time.
if I say so myself
— used when you are saying something that praises your own work, skill, etc. ▪ I did a fine job painting the room, if I say so myself. ▪ I'm a pretty good golfer, if I say so myself.
I hear what you're saying — see hear
I'll say
informal — used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said ▪ “Isn't it hot today!” “I'll say (it is). It's unbearable!”
I say
Brit, old-fashioned 1 — used to express surprise, shock, etc. ▪ I say! Isn't that your friend over there? ▪ I say! That's a wonderful idea. 2 — used to attract the attention of someone ▪ I say (there). Can you help me?
needless to say — see needless
never say die — see 1die
never say never — see never
not to say
— used to introduce a more forceful or critical way of describing someone or something ▪ His manner was discourteous, not to say offensive. ▪ He was impolite, not to say downright rude!
say cheese — see cheese
say no
: to say that you will not accept or agree to something
▪ We requested more time, but she said no. [=she refused to allow us to have more time] — often + to ▪ She said no to our request. ▪ I never say no to dessert.
▪ We requested more time, but she said no. [=she refused to allow us to have more time] — often + to ▪ She said no to our request. ▪ I never say no to dessert.
say something/little/a lot (etc.) for
: to show that (someone or something) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
▪ It says a lot for her that she stayed in the game even though she was injured. ▪ The students' low test scores don't say much for the education they're receiving. [=the low test scores show/suggest that the students are not getting a good education]
▪ It says a lot for her that she stayed in the game even though she was injured. ▪ The students' low test scores don't say much for the education they're receiving. [=the low test scores show/suggest that the students are not getting a good education]
say the word — see 1word
say what
US, informal — used to express surprise at what someone has just said ▪ “I'm moving out.” “Say what?”
say yes
: to say that you accept or agree to something — often + to ▪ They said yes to our plan.
say your piece — see 1piece
suffice (it) to say — see suffice
that is to say — see 1that
that said — see having said that (above)
that's not saying much
— used to indicate that a fact, achievement, etc., is not unusual or impressive ▪ He is a better golfer than me, but that's not saying much (because I'm not a good golfer).
there is something/a lot/much (etc.) to be said for
— used to indicate that something has advantages which deserve to be considered when you are thinking about what to do ▪ There is something to be said for small weddings. ▪ It is not necessary, but there is something to be said for traveling abroad to learn a language.
to say nothing of
— used when referring to another thing that relates to what you have just said ▪ We need more time, to say nothing of [=not to mention] money. [=we also need more money] ▪ The restaurant makes its own delicious bread, to say nothing of a great spaghetti sauce.
to say the least — see 2least
when all is said and done — see 3all
you can say that again
informal — used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said ▪ “She's in a bad mood.” “You can say that again.” [=she certainly is]
you don't say
— used to express surprise ▪ “She ran off with another man.” “You don't say!” — often used ironically to show that you are not at all surprised by something ▪ “They lost again.” “You don't say. What's that, eight in a row?”
you might say
— used to suggest a possible way of describing or thinking about something ▪ The experience was, you might say, a glimpse into the future.
you said it
informal — used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said ▪ “That was a pretty selfish thing for him to do.” “You said it.” ▪ “Let's grab something to eat.” “You said it. I'm starving.”
