a man of few words

A man who does not speak often or at length. Despite being a man of few words, Joseph was well-respected in his field because of his actions.

See also: few, man, of, word

man of few words

Fig. someone, not necessarily a man, who speaks concisely or not at all. He is a man of few words, but he usually makes a lot of sense.

See also: few, man, of, word

man of few words

see under few words.

See also: few, man, of, word

of few words, man of

Also, woman of few words. A person who does not speak much; also, a person of action rather than words. For example, A woman of few words, Susan hardly seemed like a successful lawyer, or Harry's a man of few words but he gets things done. This characteristic has been considered praiseworthy since Homer's time, but the precise idiom dates only from about 1600. Shakespeare had it in Henry V (3:2): "Men of few words are the best men."

a man (or woman) of few words

a taciturn person.

See also: few, man, of, word

a man/woman of few ˈwords

a person who does not talk much: Mr Robins was a man of few words, but his opinions were always respected.

man of few words, a

A person who speaks little but to the point; also, by implication, a person of action rather than words. Although most writers trace this expression to the Old Testament (“Let thy words be few,” Ecclesiastes 5:2), it is actually much older, appearing in Homer’s Iliad (“Few were his words, but wonderfully clear”). It appeared in John Ray’s 1678 proverb collection, and a version of “Few words are best” occurs in numerous other languages as well. See also strong silent type.