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/

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