English Reference
Idiom idiom

to say the least


Used to suggest an understatement.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The food was bad, to say the least.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel room was dirty and noisy, to say the least, so we asked for a refund immediately.

COMPLEX

His performance during the final presentation was disorganized and lacked preparation, to say the least, leaving the board members visibly unimpressed.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    at the very least

    at least; as an absolute minimum; emphatic form of at the least.

  2. 02

    do exactly what it says on the tin

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

  3. 03

    easier said than done

    Easy to propose, but difficult to accomplish.

  4. 04

    final say

    The right to make a final decision.

  5. 05

    have a say

    To (receive the opportunity to) voice one's opinion.

  6. 06

    I see, said the blind man

    Expressing confusion.

  7. 07

    I'd say

    It is my estimate or opinion.

  8. 08

    I'll say

    Used to indicate emphatic agreement

Last updated August 10, 2026