speak volumes

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

And I think that that silence really does speak volumes.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2025

Offering a listening ear or a comforting presence can speak volumes when words feel inadequate.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2025

Amid all the celebration, there are some notes of caution from campaigners that perhaps speak volumes about the reality of past let-downs.

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2024

Failing to capitalize once more and finishing winless on the road trip would speak volumes.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2023

If it be true that one look may speak volumes, it is clear that we might save ourselves much of the trouble entailed by the use of discursive speech.

From Lectures on The Science of Language by Müller, Max