say to (oneself)

1. To vocalize one's thoughts without addressing them to anyone in particular, especially in a lowered voice or in one's mind. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "say" and "to." "You can do this," I said to myself. "You've done it before and you can do it again." I could hear him saying things to himself as I came down the stairs.

2. To form or focus on some particular thought in one's mind. I keep saying to myself that I will start exercising more regularly, but I just keep letting the days slip by. He said to himself that he would never let himself get duped like that again.

See also: say

say something to someone

to tell something to someone. He didn't say anything to me. Did someone say something to you?

See also: say

say something to something

to say yes or no to a proposal, request, etc. I hope you will say yes to my proposal. Nothing was said to your request at the last meeting.

See also: say

say something to oneself

1. Lit. to mutter something to oneself so that no one else can hear. He said something to himself, but I didn't catch what it was. I said the answer to myself and no one else was supposed to hear it.

2. Fig. to think something to oneself. When I thought of him as a basketball player, I said to myself that he really isn't tall enough. I said a few choice critical remarks to myself when she presented her talk.