say no more

say no more — idiom

1. something you say to let someone know that you already understand the situation

1.idiomB2
Definition

something you say to let someone know that you already understand the situation they are hinting at or suggesting, so they can stop explaining.

Example

The night-shift nurse hinted the patient was rude, and Dr. Okafor said, "Say no more."

standalone spoken phrase used as a friendly cut-off

The neighbour found my lost wallet on the porch, and I laughed, saying, "Say no more."

Synonyms
  • enough said

    similar meaning and register; 'enough said' can be a bit more dismissive

  • I get it

    more general; does not carry the 'hint-understood' nuance as strongly

  • I see what you mean

    more formal and more explicit; less idiomatic

Antonyms
  • tell me more

    opposite intent — you want the other person to continue explaining

Grammar Patterns

someone says 'Say no more' as a reply

Usage Note

This is a fixed interjection used only as a direct reply in conversation. It cannot be conjugated (e.g. 'I said no more') or used in narrative past tense to mean 'stopped speaking' — that is a different, literal meaning of the same words.

Common Mistakes

She said no more about the accident.
She didn't say anything else about the accident.
'Say no more' as an idiom is only used as a direct spoken reply to someone, not as a narrative description of stopping speech.

Etymology

English

This expression comes from the idea that once the listener has grasped the speaker's point, no further words are needed. It became popular in British English in the mid-20th century as a friendly, conversational way to acknowledge understanding of something implied rather than stated directly.