say it all

present singular third person says it all · participle present saying it all · participle past said it all · past said it all

1. idiomaticTo express the essential characteristics of a person, thing, or situation in a concise, well-crafted turn of phrase or in some other pithy manner.

   The show's slogan says it all: "News without mercy."

   2011 January 20, James Poniewozik, “The Onion's New Fake News Show”, in Time, retrieved 04 Jun 2015

   1 more example

   "One Idaho logger told my sons, ‘We're stealing your lunch,’" said Connie M. Wood, owner of the Topper Wood Trucking Company in Libby. "That seems to say it all."

   1987 May 3, Thomas J. Knudson, “Montana Grapples with High Worker Insurance”, in New York Times, retrieved 04 Jun 2015

   Synonyms: nail it

2. idiomaticTo convey information implicitly in a non-verbal way.

   The look on his face said it all. He was terrified!

   2004 February 13, Denise Pearson, “And they say romance is dead...”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 04 Jun 2015

   1 more example

   Rory McIlroy looked downcast . . . his body language saying it all, head down and shoulders slumped, he is a picture of bitter disappointment.

   2015 May 30, Helen Carson, “Pic of the week: Downer... Rory struggles on home soil”, in Belfast Telegraph, retrieved 04 Jun 2015

   Synonyms: speak volumes