say the quiet part out loud

present singular third person says the quiet part out loud · participle present saying the quiet part out loud · participle past said the quiet part out loud · past said the quiet part out loud

1. alternativeAlternative form of say the quiet part loud, particularly
2. Alternative form of say the quiet part loud
   1. To willingly express a sentiment that is normally considered embarrassing or disreputable to hold; to reveal an ulterior motive.

      The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said that Ms. Steinbach had said the quiet part out loud, to chilling effect.

      2023 April 9, Vimal Patel, “Stanford Law School’s Dean Takes a Stand for Free Speech. Will It Work?”, in The New York Times, New York City, archived from the original on 23 Apr 2023, retrieved 09 Apr 2023

      2 more examples

      The popular Twitter meme that originated from reporter Jared Sexton after Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out his Trump Tower meeting email exchanges has come to encapsulate the Trump era — a rare moment in our political history in which saying the quiet part out loud is a routine line of defense.

      2019 October 3, Nicole Lafond, “Trump Keeps Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud — Ostensibly To Protect Himself”, in Talking Points Memo, archived from the original on 04 Oct 2019

      For years, he has inverted the politician’s playbook by saying the quiet part out loud and flaunting misconduct in public. When, in a 2016 presidential debate, Hillary Clinton accused him of dodging taxes, Trump retorted: “That makes me smart.”

      2025 September 9, David Smith, “The president doth protest too much: Trump’s denial on Epstein is backfiring”, in The Guardian, →ISSN