speak volumes, to
To say a great deal about something, to be very expressive on a subject.
In this hyperbolic phrase, what is being said is likened to an entire book. It dates from about 1800 and continues to be current. M. Wilmot used it in a letter of May 3, 1803, “A sentimental story that speaks Volumes in favour of the Count and his Daughter.”
📖 Related and Similar Terms:
- Actions speak louder than words
- Show, don’t tell
- Silent but deadly (in a positive sense!)
- Tell-tale signs
- More than meets the eye
📚 Synonyms:
- Convey a lot
- Reveal extensively
- Indicate clearly
- Demonstrate
- Illustrate
🤐 Antonyms:
- Conceal
- Suppress
- Obfuscate
- Hide
- Withhold
🗣️ Humorous Quote: “Sometimes silence can speak volumes louder than someone yelling their head off. Especially if it’s your mother disapproving of your life choices after years of remaining eerily silent.” - Anonymous
🔭 Thought-Provoking Quote: “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
📺 Movies:
- Forrest Gump (1994) – Forrest’s actions often speak volumes about his character.
- A Quiet Place (2018) – A profound example of how silence and actions convey more intense emotions and fear.
📖 Books:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Mr. Darcy’s gestures “speak volumes” about his feelings long before he confesses them.
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro – The protagonist’s actions and inactions speak volumes about his internal struggles and regrets.
🎵 Songs:
- “More Than Words” by Extreme – A lyrical representation of the adage that actions can express more than verbal declarations.
- “Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel – Exploring the profundity of silence itself.
✍️ Poetry:
“A smile that speaks afar More eloquent than words, Says what I wish to say In whispers only heard.”
🔄 Proverbs: “Actions speak louder than words.” “The pen is mightier than the sword (when the pen indeed speaks volumes).”
🔖 Inspirational Farewell: “Remember, dear reader, sometimes the most profound statements arise not from the loudest speech but from the simplest actions that, indeed, speak volumes. Keep observing, keep reflecting, and let your essence be the unspoken volume the world wishes to read.”
- Eliza Eloquent, 2023
