Speak Volumes

Speak Volumes

Welcome to English in a minute!

The word “volume” has many meanings.

It can refer to a book or set of books in a series.

That definition may help us with this expression :

Speak Volumes

Did you see Rob earlier today?

I did.

He did not look well after the meeting with the boss.

I know.

He wouldn’t not tell me what happened but the look on his face spoke volumes.

He was not happy.

To “speak volumes” means to provide a lot of information in an indirect way – and often without words.

A facial expression, a tone of voice or some other display can “speak volumes.”

Word experts say this expression does indeed come from Volumes of books.

And that’s English in a minute!