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that's what she said

idiom
Meaning

A joking retort that draws attention to the possibility of sexual innuendo in what was just said.


Origin

First attested in the early 20th century. She refers to the speaker's imagined sexual partner.

Examples
SIMPLE

He said it was too big, and I replied, that's what she said.

CONTEXTUAL

When my coworker complained that the tool was hard to handle, I could not help but say, that's what she said.

COMPLEX

In a moment of juvenile humor, he seized upon the ambiguous phrasing of the presentation to interject with a well-timed, that's what she said.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ain't what it used to was

    Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).

  2. 02

    come what may

    In spite of anything that might happen; whatever may occur.

  3. 03

    do exactly what it says on the tin

    To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

  4. 04

    do what

    An intensified version of what? or huh?, expressing surprise or lack of comprehension

  5. 05

    easier said than done

    Easy to propose, but difficult to accomplish.

  6. 06

    get what one asked for

    Synonym of get what's coming to one.

  7. 07

    give someone what-for

    To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.

  8. 08

    give what for

    To scold; to punish, especially verbally.

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