# to say the least

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/to-say-the-least
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Used to suggest an understatement.

## Examples

- The food was bad, to say the least.
- The hotel room was dirty and noisy, to say the least, so we asked for a refund immediately.
- His performance during the final presentation was disorganized and lacked preparation, to say the least, leaving the board members visibly unimpressed.

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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.