speak (redirected from speaks)

Actions speak louder than words.

something that you say which means that what you do is more important than what you say. Of course the government have made all sorts of promises but as we all know, actions speak louder than words.

See also: action, word

let something speak for itself/themselves

speak for itself/themselves - if something speaks for itself, it does not need any explanation. The book offers no analysis of Bonnard's work, it just lets the paintings speak for themselves.

See also: itself, let, themselves

speak for itself/themselves

if something speaks for itself, it does not need any explanation. I'm not going to talk about our business successes. I think the report speaks for itself.

See also: itself, themselves

speak your mind

to be honest to people about your opinions. She's not afraid to speak her mind, even if it upsets people.

See also: mind

speak volumes

if something speaks volumes, it makes a situation very clear without the use of words. He refused to comment on reports of his dismissal, but his furious expression spoke volumes. (never in continuous tenses) What we wear speaks volumes about our personality. (often + about)

speak with a plum in your mouth (British & Australian)

if someone speaks with a plum in their mouth, they speak in a way that shows they are from a very high social group. All I can remember is that he was overweight and spoke with a plum in his mouth.

See also: mouth

speak with (a) forked tongue

to make false promises or to speak in a way which is not honest. The minister is speaking with a forked tongue, promising support he will never deliver.

See also: tongue

speak/talk of the devil (humorous)

something that you say when a person you are talking about arrives and you are not expecting them. Apparently, Lisa went there and wasn't very impressed - oh, talk of the devil, here she is.

See also: devil, talk

speak/talk out of turn (slightly formal)

to say something that you should not have said or that you did not have the authority to say. I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn, but somebody had to tell him the facts.

See also: talk, turn

speak/talk the same language

if two people speak the same language, they have similar beliefs and opinions, and express themselves in similar ways. There's no use setting up a meeting between the environmentalists and the construction company - they just don't speak the same language.

See also: language, same, talk

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actions speak louder than words

what someone does is more important than what someone says. You have to prepare for what your opponents could do, not what they say they'll do, because actions speak louder than words.

See also: action, word

not to speak of something

and possibly even more importantly. It's hard to imagine a country that would use those weapons on its own people, not to speak of its neighbors.

Usage notes: used to introduce and emphasize another possibility

so to speak

this is one way to say it. My grandfather is 74, and he plays golf every day – it's a sport you can play even as you head into the sunset, so to speak. Even if New Yorkers obeyed all the rules, New York would still be, so to speak, an unruly city.

Usage notes: used to suggest that some people may not think this is a good way to say something

if you will

in other words

speak for someone/something

to express the opinions or wishes of someone. I can't speak for my boss on something that is so personal. Tokarczyk believed that her poetry could speak for the nation.

speak for yourself

to say what you really believe or think is true. She should tell us what happened – I mean, she's an adult, she can speak for herself.

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you do not agree with what someone else has said: “Without makeup a woman cannot be pretty.” “Speak for yourself. I think she's beautiful with no makeup at all.”

speak your mind

to say exactly what you think or feel. She's not afraid to speak her mind, even if it upsets people.

See also: mind

speak of the devil

the person we are talking about has just arrived. Well, speak of the devil, here's Patrick now.

See also: devil

speak out

to say publicly what you think about something. Gail admitted that she agreed with Kris, but she didn't speak out at the meeting.

Usage notes: often followed by against: It's important to speak out against racism at every opportunity.

speak out of turn

to say something that you should not have said. I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn, but somebody had to tell him the facts.

Usage notes: sometimes used to describe something you did not have the authority to say: The company president said there had not been any delays, and that the project manager had spoken out of turn.

See also: turn

speak the same language

to share similar beliefs and opinions. Environmentalists and developers don't speak the same language. When we got down to planning where to go on our trip, I was glad we spoke the same language.

See also: language, same

speak too soon

to say something that is quickly proven to be not true. A few days ago I said my job is pretty stress-free, but I spoke too soon – the stress level at work has gone way up this week.

See also: soon

speak up

to express your opinion. He went there to speak up for human rights, and he was arrested for doing it. If you need help, you have to speak up or no one will know.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of speak up (= to talk more loudly)

speak volumes

to express something very clearly and completely. The happy expressions on both their faces spoke volumes about their marriage. He didn't say anything about what happened at the meeting, but his furious expression spoke volumes.

Usage notes: usually said about expressing something without words

speak with one voice

to express the same opinion. It is a very rare event when my family speaks with one voice about anything.

Usage notes: must refer to two or more people, as in the example

See also: voice

something speaks for itself

something does not need explanation. Her behavior speaks for itself, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about it. Is the experiment a success? I think the numbers speak for themselves.

Usage notes: often used in the form let something speak for itself: The record company didn't push her album, they simply put it out and let the music speak for itself.Obj. was given as "itself/themselves," but when we use "yourself," we don't also give "yourselves," not to mention "herself," etc. as under "spectacle" below, so I don't see why we must give the plural form here.--SL, 1/03

(something) to speak of

to have so little of something that it is not worth talking about. There was no snow to speak of this winter. I really don't have any job benefits to speak of.

Usage notes: usually following a noun in a negative statement, as in the examples, but sometimes used alone in conversation: “Do you get a lot of headaches?” “No, not to speak of.”