To Say the Least
To say the least is an understatement. It is like saying, “this is least amount that I can say. I actually could say a lot more.” It suggests that the situation is actually more extreme than the statement says. It comes from the larger phrase, “to say the least of it.”
Example: They just got married. They are happy to say the least.
'To say the least' can also be used in a sarcastic way. If you want to point out (or draw attention to) how ridiculous a statement is, you can also use this phrase. You are still using it to suggest that your real belief is more extreme.
Example: The trump presidency was interesting to say the least.
“To say the least” dates to 1809. It is a useful phrase.
See Also: Cat Got Your Tongue, A Penny for Your Thoughts
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Reference:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/to-say-the-least#:~:text=Not%20to%20exaggerate%2C%20as%20in,was%20first%20recorded%20in%201809.
https://m.blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?isHttpsRedirect=true&blogId=koreanstyl3&logNo=221190345702
https://englishhelponline.me/2010/10/14/grammatical-expression-to-say-the-least/