to speak of

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(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.”

See also: speak

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? References in classic literature
It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities, touching which all difficulties are prior to getting possession, because they are acquired either by capacity or good fortune, and they can be held without either; for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion, which are so all-powerful, and of such a character that the principalities may be held no matter how their princes behave and live. The Prince by Machiavelli, Nicolo View in context To speak of it to my husband would be unnecessary and out of the question. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Leo View in context The weak point in the system of the Circles -- if a humble Square may venture to speak of anything Circular as containing any element of weakness -- appears to me to be found in their relations with Women. Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context More results

References in classic literature

It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities, touching which all difficulties are prior to getting possession, because they are acquired either by capacity or good fortune, and they can be held without either; for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion, which are so all-powerful, and of such a character that the principalities may be held no matter how their princes behave and live.

The Prince by Machiavelli, Nicolo View in context

To speak of it to my husband would be unnecessary and out of the question.

Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Leo View in context

The weak point in the system of the Circles -- if a humble Square may venture to speak of anything Circular as containing any element of weakness -- appears to me to be found in their relations with Women.

Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context

More results

Idioms browser

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to hell with
to make a long story short
to my mind
to no avail
to put too fine a point on it
to say nothing of
to say the least

to speak of
to the bitter end
to the bone
to the contrary
to the core
to the fore
to the four winds
to the gunwales

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