Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
that's saying a lot
English answer:
that's assuming a lot (too much).
Added to glossary by
Gareth McMillan
May 10, 2004 05:52
20 yrs ago
9 viewers *
English term
atxp (X)
that's saying a lot
Non-PRO
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
general
french version for the above:
"ce n'est pas peu dire"
please explain the expression.
"ce n'est pas peu dire"
please explain the expression.
Responses
+2
27 mins
Gareth McMillan
Native in English
&
English
Least is most, so keep it simple!
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, English
Selected
that's assuming a lot (too much).
I don't quite agree with Rowan on this one, although his other answer to the "if/though I do say so myself" was beautifully explained.
In this one there is an implication of unjustified assumption/s. IMHO.
In this one there is an implication of unjustified assumption/s. IMHO.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you"
+3
5 mins
Rowan Morrell
New Zealand
New Zealand
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
New Zealand
Committed to the Customer
Native in: English (Variant: New Zealand)
Works in: French to English, German to English, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
16
You've said a lot in very few words
This basically means that a great deal was said in a very small number of words. Sometimes it can be used in a rather sarcastic way.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Heidi Stone-Schaller
: quote: "This is the worst CD Outkast has released. And that's saying a lot considering it is still worth 4.5 to 5 stars" so: your statement implies more than what you've said.
2 hrs
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Thanks for that info, Heidrun.
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| agree |
Vicky Papaprodromou
3 hrs
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Thanks Vicky.
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| agree |
Rajan Chopra
2 days 20 hrs
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Thanks langclinic.
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+1
9 hrs
implies a comparison
To me, 'that's saying a lot' implies, as Heidrun says, 'that's saying a lot, considering ...'. It also means that it is 'a lot to say' about something, but in the context of comparing it with something else. The sarcasm where 'a lot' implies 'too much' can, but need not, be there. eg 'Three out of five people who started the race succeeded in finishing it, and that's saying a lot because previously no-one had ever completed it at all.'
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
rhianon
: yes, I think that your answer is a good approach to explain the meaning of this expession.
1 hr
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Thank you rhianon
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