put it mildly

Idioms  

1. Understate, say without exaggeration, as in It's a fairly long way to walk, to put it mildly—twenty miles or so. [First half of 1900s]

---

Example Sentences

However, in the much-discussed third season reunion, and many of the episodes leading up to it, it became clear that their relationship, whatever its status, is troubled, to put it mildly.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

"To put it mildly, this is bananas," said David Tannenbaum, director of Blackstone Compliance Services, a consultancy specialising in maritime sanctions.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Neither of those were great times to be buying stocks, to put it mildly.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Three months have come and gone since these proclamations, and to put it mildly, none of them have come to pass.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2025

Early researchers' figures were, to put it mildly, informally ascertained.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann