thereby hangs a tale

Idioms

That detail or incident reminds one of another story, as in So he went without supper, but thereby hangs a tale. This expression, embodying the pun on tail and tale, was used by Shakespeare in at least four of his plays and presumably was well known before that. [1500s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

thereby hangs a tale

No, they did not, and thereby hangs a tale.

From Scientific American ● Nov. 12, 2019

On the other hand, there are also the mysterious revolutions of luck, the wheel of chance – and thereby hangs a tale.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 13, 2017

Ah yes," he beams, "and thereby hangs a tale.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 15, 2013

U is for U.P.I., which told a story before it happened, and thereby hangs a tale.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Why, thereby hangs a tale," replied he, giving a sigh, which raised and then lowered the frill of his shirt at least six inches.

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Frederick Marryat

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023