# be said to be sth

idiom · CEFR C1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/be-said-to-be-sth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

people say or believe that someone or something has a certain quality, even if it is not proven. It is a formal way to report a general opinion.

## Examples

- This old house is said to be haunted.
- The new manager is said to be very strict, so the employees are nervous about the meeting.
- Although the artist never confirmed the rumors, his final masterpiece is said to be a secret tribute to his lost love.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.