to say the least
Putting it mildly
To say the least is a phrase signaling understatement—that the reality is more extreme than the words suggest.
The evening was awkward, to say the least implies it was far worse than merely awkward.
The phrase often softens criticism or emphasizes that something defies adequate description: His behavior was inappropriate, to say the least.
- to say nothing ofPhrase introducing additional point
- litotesUnderstatement via negation
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- not to mentionPhrase adding emphasis
- needless to sayPhrase preceding evident statements
soft-pedaled · mild · hyperbole · euphemism · tempered · downplayed · restrained · truth be told · muted · modest · shall we say · telling · irony · reserved · exaggeration · too · emphasis · just
restraint vs. hyperbole in expression
to say the leastfrankly speaking
Preamble to candor
if anything · strictly speaking · literally · in all honesty · to tell the truth