Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

thereby hangs a tale

Idioms  
  1. 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:

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

As to the site of his handiwork thereby hangs a tale.

From The Strand Magazine, Volume XXVII, Issue 160, April, 1904 by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com