you don't say


you don't say

1. Is that true? (Can be used to express genuine surprise or interest, or else as a general response that doesn't express surprise or interest). A: "My wife's cousin is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots." B: "You don't say! Have you ever met him?" A: "I found a frog in the river behind the house today, and I decided to keep it as a pet in my treehouse." B: "Hmm, you don't say. Don't bring it into the house."2. Used as a sarcastic response to something one considers obvious or self-evident. A: "Wow, this place is expensive!" B: "Oh, you don't say. It's almost as if it's the only restaurant in the entire state with three Michelin stars or something."See also: say

You don't say.

 1. Inf. a general response to something that someone has said. (Expresses a little polite surprise or interest, but not disbelief.) Bill: I'm starting work on a new job next Monday. Bob: You don't say. Sally: The Jones boys are keeping a pet snake. Alice: You don't say. 2. . Inf. You have just said something that everybody already knows. Bill: I think I'm beginning to put on a little weight. Jane: You don't say. John: My goodness, prices are getting high. Sue: You don't say.See also: say

you don't say

How surprising, is that true? Also, I find that hard to believe. For example, I've been working on this project for two years.-You don't say, or The man who runs this soup kitchen is a real saint.-You don't say! This expression, a shortening of you don't say so, may be used straightforwardly or ironically. [Late 1800s] See also: say

you don’t ˈsay!

(spoken, often ironic) used to express surprise: ‘My brother’s an astronaut, you know.’ ‘You don’t say!’ ♢ ‘I was in the Scouts for six years.’ ‘You don’t say.’ (= I’m not interested/surprised).