speak volumes

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

While natural color is no indication of quality, it can speak volumes about character.

From The Daily Beast

While Marville did not campaign for any particular point of view, his photographs speak volumes.

From The Daily Beast

Handbags speak volumes about the women who carry them—Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was no different.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

These trials speak volumes as to the state of feeling and opinion among the vulgar with regard to human liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

The trees and plants from that Station certainly speak volumes for the work being done by Supt. Haralson.

From Project Gutenberg

The subdued words, the saddened tone seemed to speak volumes.

From Project Gutenberg

A stranger need not be a day in Buenos Ayres without discovering this; and such traits speak volumes.

From Project Gutenberg

This is not decisive, but it may well be one of those small facts which speak volumes.

From Project Gutenberg