to say the least

Idioms

Not to exaggerate, as in When the ring turned up in the lost and found, she was delighted, to say the least. This idiom was first recorded in 1809.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To say the least, the government has some nerve in raising the issue.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

"To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it!"

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it!”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

To say the least, it is an eerily familiar feeling to witness our final exit from Afghanistan.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2021

To say the least of it, "it is hard to be understood."

From Notes and Queries, Number 236, May 6, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023