statement

blanket statement

A general statement made about a large group of different people or things that is typically lacking in nuance and accuracy. A: "All teens hate school. They don't actually want to be here." B: "That's a little reductive, isn't it? You'll have a hard time connecting with your students if you truly believe blanket statements like that." Leave it to Uncle Ned to make blanket statements about all the "fools" who don't happen to share his political beliefs. Please don't make some blanket statement "on behalf of the family" without consulting us first, OK?

See also: blanket, statement

I guess not

An expression of vague denial or negation. A: "Is Tom coming?" B: "I guess not—it's getting pretty late." A: "Think we can still have our picnic today?" B: "I guess not—not with those clouds looming overhead." I thought Mary was OK, but I guess not—she just burst into tears.

See also: guess, not

make a blanket statement

To make a general statement about a large group of different people or things that is typically lacking in nuance and accuracy. A: "All teens hate school. They don't actually want to be here." B: "That's a little reductive, isn't it? You'll have a hard time connecting with your students if you make blanket statements like that." Leave it to Uncle Ned to make blanket statements about the "fools" who don't share his political beliefs.

See also: blanket, make, statement

make a statement

1. To create, indicate, or communicate a certain kind of impression, idea, or mood. I chose such loud, clashing colors because I want the exhibit to really make a statement about the chaos of commercialism. Your outfit makes a statement about you to a potential employer before you have the chance to utter a single word.

2. To give one's formal account of events to police or investigators. As a matter of procedure, you'll be asked to come down to the station and make a statement about the robbery.

See also: make, statement

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

I guess not.

 and (I) don't think so.; I expect not.; I suppose not.; I suspect not.; I think not.

a vague statement of negation. (More polite or gentle than simply saying no. Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Bill: It's almost too late to go to the movie. Shall we try anyway? Mary: I guess not. Tom: Will it rain? Mary: I 'spect not.

See also: guess, not

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

make a statement

Create a certain impression; communicate an idea or mood without using words. For example, The furnishings here make a statement about the company. [Mid-1900s]

See also: make, statement

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.