says who?

Idioms  

1. Who claims the truth of this statement, which I don't believe? For example, That horse of your will never win a race.—Says who? This slangy expression of disagreement or disbelief may also be put in declarative form, says you!, meaning “I disagree with what you just said.” For example, It was an accident, I didn't mean to break it.—Says you! You've always hated that vase. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

“It was surreal, it was like telling people they won the lottery. There was absolute shock,” Moreno says, who helped hand out the bonuses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

It is Zamora, he says, who is being inconsistent.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

"UN aid wasn't sufficient," Omar says, who spent days digging through rubble looking for friends and family with his bare hands.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2023

People often bring him ingredients from other parts of the continent, he says, who get a free tub of ice cream in return.

From Reuters • Dec. 30, 2022

“Look. You don’t fit in. I don’t fit in. Albert doesn’t fit in, either. Who says who fits in, anyway? People like Shay? That girl is just mean. Who cares what she thinks?”

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt