Meaning Of Idiom ‘That’s Saying Something’
The phrase that’s saying something is used to indicate that what has been said is even more significant than one might think because of some other underlying fact or circumstance that is not necessarily known from the current context.
This idiom may be best understood from representative examples.
Example: “This car is a lemon. Even my father can’t fix this car, and that’s saying something.”
Meaning: My father is very good at fixing cars so if he cannot fix this car, it is really bad.”
Example from Harry Potter: Hermione: “How did I get the stone out of the mirror? “Ah, now, I’m glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that’s saying something.”
Meaning: The character Hermione has many brilliant ideas so if this idea is more brilliant, it must be exceedingly brilliant.
A related and similar idiom is ‘you said a mouthful.’
Sentence Examples
“Your aim’s as bad as your cookin’, sweetheart. And that’s saying something.” — Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
“John…even if we manage pull that off, and that’s saying something, the real question is who are we selling this to?” — Margin Call (2011)
“She’s making me nostalgic for his first wife, and trust me, that’s saying something.” — The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)
“I hate holidays as I much as I hate sport, and that’s saying something.” — Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)
“This lamb is absolutely delicious. Very nearly as good as Welsh lamb and that’s saying something.” — Sirens (1994)
“But this, this is, without doubt, the most intelligent, moving, and downright-horny little adult film that Lila has ever seen. That’s saying something, because she’s a dirty little monkey.” — I Want Candy (2007)
“Some of the women there are even more sexually adventurous than I am, and that’s saying something.” — Blackout (2008)
“You were the adventurous one. You were all over the place. More than Davy, and that’s saying something.” — Sunshine on Leith (2013)
“Lord in heaven, the most delicious food I have eaten in my entire life! And that’s saying something.” — American Horror Story: The Dead (2013)
“That guy’s wound way too tight. And coming from me, that’s saying something.” — Dexter: Turning Biminese (2008)
Origin
Used since the early part of the 1800s, this idiom can be understood as a more complete phrase “That’s saying something significant.” The word something is used in a similar sense when we say a person or thing is ‘something’ or ‘really something,’ meaning they are impressive or notable.