ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I can tell you

idiom
Meaning

Emphasises the truth of a statement.


Examples
SIMPLE

It was a long day, I can tell you.

CONTEXTUAL

The hike was much harder than we expected, I can tell you, but the view from the top was worth it.

COMPLEX

The situation in the office has become remarkably tense over the last few weeks, I can tell you, as everyone waits for the final decision.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    don't tell me

    Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.

  2. 02

    I tell a lie

    I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.

  3. 03

    I tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  4. 04

    I'll tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  5. 05

    kiss and tell

    To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.

  6. 06

    let me tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  7. 07

    live to tell the tale

    To survive some difficulty, illness, etc.

  8. 08

    only time will tell

    Alternative form of time will tell.

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