that’s saying something: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘that's saying something’ mean?
The idiom "that's saying something" is used to highlight a statement that is particularly noteworthy or impressive, often because it exceeds expectations or goes against common assumptions.
Idiom Explorer
"You're telling me" is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that the speaker already knows or agrees with what has been said. It is often used sarcastically or to show agreement with a statement that is obvious or well-known.
The idiom "that's what she said" is a humorous phrase used to draw attention to statements that can be interpreted with a sexual innuendo or double entendre. It can be seen as a form of wordplay or a way to add a humorous twist to a conversation, often used in a lighthearted or joking manner.
"That's the ticket" means that something is just right or exactly what is needed. It can also express approval or agreement with a suggestion or idea.
The idiom "that's the thing" is used to emphasize a crucial point or argument in a discussion or conversation.
The idiom 'that's that' is used to conclude a discussion or resolve a situation, implying that nothing more needs to be said or done about it. It signifies finality and closure.
The idiom "that's just me" means expressing one's personal opinion or behavior as unique and individual, often used to excuse or justify personal preferences or quirks.
The idiom "that figures" is used to express that something is not surprising or unexpected, as it is consistent with what was already known or expected.
An idiom used to emphasize the extreme or exceptional quality of someone or something.
The idiom "that ever walked on two legs" is a colloquial expression used in American English. This idiom emphasizes the exceptional qualities or characteristics of someone or something. It is often used in a hyperbolic manner to convey a sense of awe, admiration, or astonishment.
The idiom "tell you the truth" is a way to emphasize honesty in a statement, suggesting that the speaker is about to share their true thoughts or feelings on a matter. It signifies a candid and sincere expression.
Implying Significance
"That's saying something" is an idiom that emphasizes the significance or importance of a statement or achievement. It is often used when the speaker wants to highlight that a particular statement or achievement is particularly impressive or notable. The idiom can be used both positively and negatively, suggesting that a certain statement or achievement is surprising or unexpected given the circumstances.
Let's take a look at how this idiom is related to other idioms:
"say that" is a related idiom that is used to introduce a statement or opinion. It is often used to emphasize that what is being stated is important or significant. For example, "I can say that this project was a success" emphasizes the speaker's belief in the project's success.
"at that" is another related idiom that is used to express agreement or confirmation. It is often used to emphasize that a particular characteristic or quality is accurate or true. For example, "He's a great athlete, at that" adds emphasis to the speaker's opinion that the person is a great athlete.
"that's the thing" is an idiom that is used to indicate a crucial or important point. It is often used to emphasize the speaker's belief that a particular idea or concept is crucial to understanding a situation. For example, "That's the thing, we need to focus on customer satisfaction" emphasizes the importance of customer satisfaction in the speaker's point of view.
"that ever walked on two legs" is an idiom that is used to exaggerate the exceptional nature of a person or thing. It is often used to emphasize that a particular person or thing is the best or most outstanding in a certain category. For example, "He's the smartest person that ever walked on two legs" exaggerates the person's intelligence to emphasize their exceptional qualities.
"you're telling me" is a related idiom that is used to express agreement or acknowledgment of a known fact. It is often used to emphasize that the speaker already knows or agrees with what is being stated. For example, "I've been working long hours lately" can be met with the response "You're telling me" to express agreement with the long hours.
The idiom "that's saying something" is a versatile phrase that can be used to emphasize the significance or importance of a statement or achievement. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous way to convey admiration or surprise. This idiom is related to other idioms such as "say that," "at that," "that's the thing," "that ever walked on two legs," and "you're telling me," each of which adds a unique emphasis or perspective to the statement or achievement being discussed.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "that's saying something" can be used in a sentence:
- He's the smartest person I know, and he said that was the hardest test he's ever taken. That's saying something.
- This pizza is amazing, and I've had pizza in Italy. That's saying something.
- She can run faster than any other athlete on the team, and they're all really fast. That's saying something.
More "Emphasis" idioms
