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to whom it may concern

Idioms  
  1. To the appropriate recipient for this message, as in I didn't know who was responsible for these complaints so I just addressed it “to whom it may concern.” This phrase is a formula used in letters, testimonials, and the like when one does not know the name of the proper person to address. [Second half of 1800s]


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.

One letter is addressed to Fine and the other "to whom it may concern."

From Newsweek • Jan. 15, 2012

Be it fulfilled, the receipt thereof acknowledged, let be communicated to whom it may concern, published and inserted in the National Register.

From Observations on the Present State of the Affairs of the River Plate by Baines, Thomas

He handed over Benjamin Wade's letter of introduction, "to whom it may concern."

From Every Man for Himself by Moorhouse, Hopkins

Patriotically insisted upon meeting four times a week, to show, to whom it may concern, that at least they are ready for work.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, August 5th 1893 by Various

This is to whom it may concern: Five hundred dollars' reward is to be paid for information leading to the arrest of a party who last night broke into the home of Nathan R. Hallowell.

From Radio Boys Cronies Or, Bill Brown's Radio by Whipple, Wayne

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