speak volumes
Say much silently
To speak volumes is to convey a great deal without explicit statement—through implication, gesture, or mere fact.
A person's silence can speak volumes about their disapproval.
Evidence speaks volumes when it strongly suggests a conclusion: The empty bottles spoke volumes about what had happened the night before.
The phrase emphasizes that some things communicate more powerfully than words.
Not using speech
- implicitUnderstood without being stated
- silentProducing no sound
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- tacitUnderstood without words
gestural · body language · facial expression · eye contact · glance · look · pause · silence
Meaningfully indicative
- meaningfulHaving purpose or significance
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- indicativeServing as a sign
evocative · revealing · communicative · significant · profound · poignant · resonant · emphatic
nonverbal
Not using speech
tacit · gestural · body language · facial expression · eye contact · glance · look · pause · silence · tone
telling
Meaningfully indicative
- meaningfulHaving purpose or significance
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
indicative · evocative · revealing · communicative · significant · profound · poignant · resonant · emphatic · unequivocal
testify
Give sworn evidence
- demonstrateShow or prove something
- revealMake something visible
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
evident · disclose · indicate · signify · attest · prove · show · confirm · witness · evidence