you don't say

Idioms  

1. How surprising, is that true? Also, I find that hard to believe. For example, I've been working on this project for two years.—You don't say, or The man who runs this soup kitchen is a real saint.—You don't say! This expression, a shortening of you don't say so, may be used straightforwardly or ironically. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

“Some of the things he says, it’s all right to say it at a bar with your buddies, but you don’t say that stuff out loud,” said Schofield, a 63-year-old chemical salesman.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

Mr Todd told BBC Radio Solent that he had apologised "thousands of times" and would keep on apologising as "you don't say something like that".

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2024

“You either decide to go forward, that there is proof here, or you don’t say anything at all with respect to your opinions about the case,” he said.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024

And, while you don’t say what your mom’s perspective is, I’m curious whether she’s contributing to the emotional intensity or pointing out a pattern of Lily being treated differently.

From Slate • Jan. 24, 2023

I’ll honk you again if you don’t say, ‘Let me alone.’

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston