do tell

Idioms  

1. A phrase used to express surprise about something, as in Jane's getting married again? Do tell. This expression does not necessarily ask the speaker to provide more details but merely expresses one's astonishment. [Colloquial; first half of 1800] For a synonym, see you don't say.

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Example Sentences

“Sometimes they do tell me, ‘Well, you’re the problem,’” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Some hacked companies do tell the public the full extent of data breaches, especially in other countries:

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Lastly, in the event that you do tell a colleague “maybe,” it is a good idea to give a definitive answer as soon as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

And that's the beauty of deciding what to glean from these visuals – when we do tell stories about ourselves to ourselves, they loosen the limitations of what the accompanying illustration could look like.

From Salon • May 21, 2023

Momma said, “There’s not a whole lot to tell, just a story about a young girl who made a bad choice. But if you do tell it, make sure you get all the facts right.”

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis