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pray tell

idiom
Meaning

Expressing incredulity, please explain (some claim or position the speaker doubts).


Origin

disputed origin

From pray (“ask (politely)”) + tell (“explain”).

Examples
SIMPLE

You think he is telling the truth, pray tell?

CONTEXTUAL

If you really believe that this project will finish on time, pray tell, how will you manage the budget?

COMPLEX

If you truly intend to abandon your responsibilities at such a critical juncture, pray tell, what do you expect the outcome to be?

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 can tell you

    Emphasises the truth of a statement.

  3. 03

    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.

  4. 04

    I tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  5. 05

    I'll tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  6. 06

    kiss and tell

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

  7. 07

    let me tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

  8. 08

    live to tell the tale

    To survive some difficulty, illness, etc.

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