# pray tell

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pray-tell
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- You think he is telling the truth, pray tell?
- If you really believe that this project will finish on time, pray tell, how will you manage the budget?
- If you truly intend to abandon your responsibilities at such a critical juncture, pray tell, what do you expect the outcome to be?

## Origin

From *pray* (to ask politely) + *tell* (to explain). This imperative construction formed as a request for information.

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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.