You can say that again

Definitions

• emphasize agreement or strong affirmation
  Express enthusiastic agreement with someone's statement or sentiment, often in a joking or playful manner

• express frustration or annoyance
  Convey frustration or annoyance with a situation or person, often in a sarcastic or exasperated tone

• reinforce a point or idea
  Reiterate a statement or idea for emphasis, often in a humorous or exaggerated way

Examples of You can say that again

• "That was an incredibly boring presentation," said Tom. "You can say that again!" exclaimed Jane in agreement.

  In this example, Tom expressed that the presentation was uninteresting. Jane agreed wholeheartedly and used the idiom "You can say that again" to emphasize her agreement.

• "I can't believe my luck today," said John as he won the lottery. "You can say that again!" laughed Sarah in disbelief.

  In this example, John was very lucky and expressed his surprise. Sarah couldn't believe it either and repeated John's statement using the idiom "You can say that again."

• "This coffee is absolutely delicious," said Emma, taking a sip. "You can say that again!" replied James, smelling the aroma.

  In this example, Emma was enjoying her coffee and expressed her appreciation. James agreed wholeheartedly and used the idiom "You can say that again" to emphasize his praise.

• "I've never seen a basketball game quite like that," said Lisa as she watched the match. "You can say that again!" exclaimed Jack, amazed by the spectacle.

  In this example, Lisa was witnessing an extraordinary basketball game and expressed her astonishment. Jack was equally impressed and repeated Lisa's statement using the idiom "You can say that again."

• When Sarah told her friend about the amazing vacation she had, her friend exclaimed, "You can say that again! That sounds like an incredible trip."

  The idiom "You can say that again" is used to emphasize that the statement made is true or accurate. In this case, Sarah's friend was in disbelief at how fantastic Sarah's vacation was and used the idiom to express her surprise and agreement.

• During a heated debate, one speaker said, "I completely agree with you! You can say that again!"

  The idiom "You can say that again" is often used in arguments or discussions when both parties share the same opinion. It reinforces the idea that the statement being made is strong and worth repeating.

• After the team won the championship, the coach exclaimed, "You can say that again! This is the best team I've ever coached."

  The idiom "You can say that again" is used to highlight an extraordinary accomplishment. In this scenario, the coach was ecstatic about his team's success and used the idiom to underline how exceptional they truly were.

• At a comedy show, the audience laughed so hard that one person exclaimed, "You can say that again! That joke was hilarious!"

  The idiom "You can say that again" is frequently employed in humorous situations to reiterate a statement that brought about laughter or excitement. In this specific case, the audience member said the idiom when the joke was particularly enjoyable, admitting that they would gladly hear the joke repeated because it was so funny.

Conclusion

The idiom "you can say that again" is a versatile phrase that can be used to convey agreement, frustration, or emphasis. It is often used in a lighthearted or joking manner, making it a popular expression in casual conversations. It allows the speaker to convey their emotions without being too direct or confrontational.

Origin of "You can say that again"

The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It may have evolved from the phrase "you can say that for sure," which was used to express strong agreement or confirmation.

One theory suggests that the idiom was popularized by vaudeville performers in the early 1900s. They would often use it as a comedic punchline, repeating a statement made by a fellow performer for comedic effect.

Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from a popular song from the 1920s called "You Can Say That Again" by Irving Berlin. The song's lyrics include the line "You can say that again, and you can say that again," which could have influenced the use of the idiom in everyday language.

Regardless of its exact origin, "you can say that again" has become a widely used and recognizable idiom in English, often used in informal settings to convey agreement, frustration, or emphasis.