speak volumes
/ˌspiːk ˈvɒljuːmz/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
to show something very clearly without words
Examples
- 1The fact that he never phones his mother speaks volumes about him.
- 2Her quiet smile spoke volumes; she had clearly got the job.
- 3The empty restaurant on a Saturday night speaks volumes about the food.
- 4Nobody replied to Tom's email about the party, which spoke volumes.
- 5Doesn't it speak volumes that three managers have left in one year?
Grammar
The subject is a fact or an action, not a speaker. Only speak changes: speaks, spoke. Add about or for before what it shows.
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →the gift of the gabthe ability to talk easily and persuasivelybeat around the bushto avoid saying something directlycut to the chaseto talk about the most important thing without delayread between the linesto understand what someone means but does not saykeep someone in the loopto make sure someone knows what is happeninghit the nail on the headto describe exactly what is causing a problem
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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