What is the meaning of say less?

What does “say less” mean?

“Say less” is slang for “I understand” or “I get the gist of what you are saying.” You can also use it when you agree with someone and see eye to eye with them. In a sense, it’s a way of saying that no further explanation is needed. However, the expression can also be used when you are actually asking someone to speak less. In this scenario, you are presumably fed up with what they are saying, so you are kind of telling them to “s#!t up.” This definition is usually paired with a rude or angry tone to go along with it.

How to use “say less”

“Say less” is an expression that’s fairly popular in places like Toronto among the youth. You might find the following exchange taking place between two friends.

Michael: Hey man, our team needs to practice hard if we are to have any shot at winning this thing.

Jay: Say less. We’ll schedule two practices a day for the coming two weeks.

Now, since this expression is slang, it is obviously informal. Ergo, you really can’t be using it in the workplace with your boss. For example, the following exchange is quite inappropriate.

Boss: Alright, with the deadline approaching, we are going to need to step it up a bit. We might even have to work overtime. However, once we hand the client the final deliverable, we can take things easy again.

Employee: Say less boss. We got you.

Don’t get me wrong. In the above example, the employee’s heart is in the right place. However, the way they are expressing themselves might get them fired.

Here are a few more examples of how you can use this expression:

Martha: How about we go out and grab a bite to eat? My treat.

Steven: Say less. I’m in.

Basically, the minute Martha offered to pay for the dinner, Steve was on board.

Tony: The new Nolan movie just came out, and we’re heading to see it. Wanna come with us?

Sarah: Say less. I’m in.

”Say less” to mean “S#!t up”

This definition is a bit more literal. The idea is that you are tired of what the other person is saying, so you just want them to cut it out and “say less.”

Jennifer: Look, the only reason I said those things was because you started it.

Molly: Say less. You are vindictive. You always have been and always will be. This isn’t on me.

Obviously, this expression is also informal, so don’t use it in a professional setting.

Moreover, I’m not entirely certain that telling someone to “S#!t up” is even allowed in a professional setting. You might ask someone to “please stop interrupting,” but even that might be a bit uncouth.

It all depends on the situation really.

Where exactly does “Say less” originate from?

This expression is actually a variation of the very first expression which was “say no more”. It is easy to see that this is a shortened version as it means the same thing. Typically, when someone says “say no more” it means that they have been convinced of whatever the other party is saying. It means that they have bought into whatever topic or ideal was being mentioned, and there is no need to go any further. This also goes for the expression “Say less”.

Less is a smaller amount of; not as much.

constituting a more limited number or amount less than three less than half done. 2 : of lower rank, degree, or importance no less a person than the president himself. 3a : of reduced size, extent, or degree. b : more limited in quantity in less time. no less.

Say Less

American phrase from AAVE, created by Roy Woods

This is considered informal and means "I understand" or "I know what you're saying"

It can also mean "shut up" or "I'm excited"

Some worry that this phrase is rude, but it is only considered "rude" if used within a formal situation, such as a job interview or meeting someone for the first time.

"You need to get to your house, say less" (I understand)

" Say less, before you make me upset" (shut up)

"We are going to Disneyland? Say less! I'm in" (Excited)

Try using this only with friends to start, until you're comfortable using it publicly.