PhrasesHub

spoke volumes

    Definitions

      • convey a lot of information or emotion
        Indicate that something said or done conveys a significant amount of information or emotion

      • be significant or revealing
        Highlight that something is highly significant or revealing of a particular situation or person

    Examples of spoke volumes

    • Her silence spoke volumes about her true feelings.

      Here, the idiom "spoke volumes" is used to describe how someone's silence can convey a lot of meaning. In this context, it suggests that the person's silence spoke more loudly than any words could have, revealing her true feelings.

    • The weather forecast for the weekend spoke volumes about the upcoming storm.

      In this example, "spoke volumes" is used to indicate that the weather forecast was very telling about the approaching storm. The forecast's description communicated a great deal about the expected severity and impact of the storm.

    • The flowers in the garden spoke volumes about the care and attention that they had received.

      This example uses the idiom to suggest that the flowers' health and beauty provided a clear indication about the level of care and attention they had received from the gardener.

    • The title character's actions in the movie spoke volumes about the struggles of suburban life in the 1950s.

      Here, "spoke volumes" is used to convey that the actions of the main character served as a compelling illustration of the difficulties faced by people living in suburban communities during the 1950s.

    • The silence of the room spoke volumes about the tension between the two individuals.

      The lack of speech in the room conveyed a strong message about the animosity between the two people present. It was as if the silence itself was a form of communication, conveying a depth of emotion that words could not.

    • The flowers in the garden spoke volumes about the love and care the gardener had put into their maintenance.

      The beauty and health of the flowers served as a testament to the time and effort that the gardener had devoted to their care. It was clear that the gardener held a great deal of love and affection for the flowers, and took great pride in their appearance.

    • The boredom etched on the student's face spoke volumes about the professor's lackluster lecture.

      The student's uninterested expression conveyed the message that the professor's lecture was not engaging or interesting. It was as if the student's face itself was shouting out its frustration with the monotonous nature of the lecture.

    • The expressions on the jury's faces spoke volumes about the defendant's guilt.

      The serious and grim expressions on the jury's faces conveyed the message that they were convinced of the defendant's guilt. It was as if the jury's faces themselves were a form of communication, conveying the depth of their conviction and the seriousness with which they were considering the case.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "spoke volumes" is used to convey the idea that something said or done carries a significant amount of information or emotion, or is highly revealing and significant in a particular situation or about a person.

    It can be used to emphasize the depth of meaning or emotion behind a statement or action, or to highlight the significance of a particular situation or behavior. For example, "Her silence spoke volumes about her disappointment" indicates that the lack of words conveyed a lot of emotion, while "The success of the project spoke volumes about his leadership skills" highlights the significance of the project's success in revealing the person's abilities.

    Overall, "spoke volumes" is a versatile idiom that can be used to emphasize the depth of meaning or significance of something in a wide range of contexts.

    Origin of "spoke volumes"

    The origin of the idiom "spoke volumes" can be traced back to the idea of books or written works containing a significant amount of information. The word "spoke" in this idiom refers to the idea of speaking through written words, indicating that something "spoke volumes" when it conveyed a lot of information or emotion.

    The use of "volumes" in the idiom also reflects the idea of a large amount of information, as volumes are often used to refer to a set of books or written works. Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used more broadly to convey the idea of something carrying a significant amount of meaning or emotion, regardless of whether it is actually written or spoken.