Suffice It to Say 🤐
Definition: A handy verbal tool, this phrase implies that what follows is ample information on the subject without diving into the nitty-gritty details. It’s a way of politely summarizing without spilling all the beans. Tracing its origins back to the seventeenth century, the expression gained literary fame in John Dryden’s Miscellaneous Essays (1692).
Synonyms:
- In short
- To sum up
- Let’s just say
- Put simply
Antonyms:
- Elaborate fully
- Expound upon
- Dive into details
- List at length
Humorous Quotes:
- “Suffice it to say, I’m not the one to kiss and tell. Unless it’s a really good story.” - Anon
- “Suffice it to say, brevity is the soul of wit; unless I’m paid by the word.” - Comical Carl
Related Phrases & Idioms:
- “Long story short”
- “To cut a long story short”
- “In a nutshell”
Proverbs:
- “Brevity is the soul of wit.” - William Shakespeare
- “What is understood need not be discussed.”
References in Literature:
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: When Pip often glosses over details about his troubled upbringing.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: The frequent understatements of Mr. Darcy.
Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss – A humorous take on punctuation and succinct expression.
- Song: “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt – The art of saying just enough in a breakup.
- Poetry: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost – Speaking volumes through simple words.
- Movie: A Few Good Men - The line “You can’t handle the truth!” reflects succinctness with emotional intensity.
Feeling enlightened yet entertained? Brevity, they say, is the soul of wit. Till our next lexicon-led adventure, mind your words and remember: less is often oh-so-much more.
✨ Farewell Thought: “Sometimes, it’s the quietest words that make the loudest impact. Suffice it to say, your words have power – use them wisely.”
— Eloise N. Gentlewispers
Published on October 17, 2023
