speak volumes

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Be significant, indicate a great deal, as in That house of theirs speaks volumes about their income. This idiom uses volumes in the sense of “the information contained in volumes of books.” [c. 1800]

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby speak volumes

Speak softly and carry a big stick, speak the same language, speak to, speak too soon, speak up, speak volumes, spean, spear, spear carrier, spearfish, spearfisherman

How to use speak volumes in a sentence

While natural color is no indication of quality, it can speak volumes about character.
Why Natural Color Is So Crucial To Understanding A Whisky’s Flavors||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While Marville did not campaign for any particular point of view, his photographs speak volumes.
Charles Marville Captures the Rebirth of 1800s Paris in New Exhibition|William O’Connor|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Handbags speak volumes about the women who carry them—Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was no different.
The Language of Margaret Thatcher’s Handbags|Robin Givhan|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes a single number—in this case, $2.901 billion—can speak volumes about what is really happening on Wall Street these days.
How Much Will Goldman Sachs Give Out In Bonuses?|William D. Cohan|October 16, 2008|DAILY BEAST

These trials speak volumes as to the state of feeling and opinion among the vulgar with regard to human liberty.
On Liberty|John Stuart Mill
The trees and plants from that Station certainly speak volumes for the work being done by Supt. Haralson.
Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916|Various
The subdued words, the saddened tone seemed to speak volumes.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood
A stranger need not be a day in Buenos Ayres without discovering this; and such traits speak volumes.
A Five Years' Residence in Buenos Ayres|George Thomas Love
This is not decisive, but it may well be one of those small facts which speak volumes.
Fray Luis de Len|James Fitzmaurice-Kelly