message

Related to message: massage

Can I leave a message?

A question asked when the person one wishes to speak to is currently unavailable. Well, if he's in a meeting, can I just leave a message?
See also: can, leave

Can I take a message?

An offer to transcribe someone's message to someone else who is currently unavailable. A: "Can I speak to Josh?" B: "He's not available right now—can I take a message?"
See also: can, take

carry the message to Garcia

To show initiative in undertaking important or requisite tasks in the face of difficulties and/or without requiring specific instructions on how to do so. It refers to the essay "Message to Garcia," published in 1899 by Elbert Hubbard, in which a lieutenant named Andrew Rowan undertakes establishing communication with Cuban rebel leader Calixto García to create an alliance in case of war with Spain. One should always aspire to be the type of employee who will carry the message to Garcia, for it says more about you than merely doing what you're told.
See also: carry, Garcia, message

deliver the message to Garcia

To show initiative in undertaking important or requisite tasks in the face of difficulties and/or without requiring specific instructions on how to do so. It refers to the essay "Message to Garcia," published in 1899 by Elbert Hubbard, in which a lieutenant named Andrew Rowan undertakes establishing communication with Cuban rebel leader Calixto García to create an alliance in case of war with Spain. One should always aspire to be the type of employee who will deliver the message to Garcia, for it says more about you than merely doing what you're told.
See also: deliver, Garcia, message

direct message

A form of private communication on social media sites or Internet forums. It is most commonly used as a verb. Direct message me if you have any questions. If you don't want everyone to see it, send a direct message instead of posting it.
See also: direct, message

get (a) mixed message(s)

To receive a signal, message, or communication that has, or seems to have, multiple, ambiguous, or contradictory meanings. I keep getting these mixed messages from my ex-girlfriend. I can't tell if she just wants to be friends, or if she's interested in getting back together. I've just been getting a mixed message from my boss lately about what he thinks of my performance so far.
See also: get, mixed

get the message

To understand the real meaning of what someone is trying to communicate. OK, I get the message. I'll start looking for somewhere else to stay. I just stopped texting her back, and she eventually got the message.
See also: get, message

get the messages

To buy groceries. Primarily heard in Ireland. Are you going to get the messages today? We're running low on milk.
See also: get, message

I approve this message

1. A standard phrase attached to the end of a political advertisement by a candidate running for federal office. Do you really want your future in the hands of someone who launders money for the cartel? Vote Smith-Robertson for president this election. I'm Jonathan Smith, and I approve this message.
2. Used alongside humorous statements in order to parody the solemnity of the message. A: "I say you need to eat more vegetables. I'm your father, and I approve this message!" B: "Har har, Dad."
See also: approve, message, this

May I take a message?

A polite offer to transcribe someone's message to someone else who is currently unavailable. A: "Can I speak to Josh?" B: "He's not available right now—may I take a message?"
See also: may, take

mixed message

A signal, message, or communication that has, or is interpreted as having, multiple, ambiguous, or contradictory meanings. (Often plural.) I keep getting these mixed messages from my ex-girlfriend. I can't tell if she just wants to be friends, or if she's interested in getting back together. I just think it sends something of a mixed message to be advertising a new production assistant position right after we went through a round of layoffs.
See also: message, mixed

off message

Deviating from or being untrue to the official or agreed upon view, plan, or ideology. We just feel like having a spokesperson with such strong religious convictions is a little off message for our organization. The candidate usually maintains an unflappable demeanor during these interviews, rarely stepping outside of a set of carefully crafted responses, so it was odd to see him going so drastically off message.
See also: message, off

on message

Remaining true to the official or agreed upon view, plan, or ideology. We just feel like our spokesperson has to be on message with our organization's strong religious beliefs. The candidate usually stays on message during these interviews, rarely stepping outside of a set of carefully crafted responses, so it was odd to see him go off on such a random, ranting tangent.
See also: message, on

private message

A way to communicate only with a select person or people on social media sites or Internet forums. It is most commonly used as a verb. Private message me if you have any questions. If you don't want everyone to see it, send a private message instead of posting it.
See also: message, private

send (a) mixed message(s)

To communicate something that has, or seems to have, multiple, ambiguous, or contradictory meanings. My ex-girlfriend has accused me of sending mixed messages about our relationship, as if I'm hinting that I want to get back together with her. I just think it sends something of a mixed message to be advertising a new production assistant position right after we went through a round of layoffs.
See also: mixed, send

send a message

To emphasize or make a clear statement of one's position. We need to send a message to these hostile nations that we will not compromise our values for fear of reprisal. The latest memo clearly sends a message to certain people in the company that their days are numbered. The quilts are intended to send a message of hope to the survivors of this tragedy.
See also: message, send

send the right message

To do or say something that communicates a particular desired meaning, either implicitly or explicitly. We're hoping that this legislation will send the right message to young people around the country. I know you're trying to foster better workplace relations between employees, but I don't think forcing people to sit in assigned spots during lunch will send the right message.
See also: message, right, send

send the wrong message

To do or say something that communicates a meaning different or contrary to what one desires, either implicitly or explicitly. The government's decision, while innocuous at face value, sends the wrong message that business that don't have a religious affiliation will be treated more preferentially than those that do. I know you're trying to foster better workplace relations between employees, but I think forcing people to sit in assigned spots during lunch might send the wrong message.
See also: message, send, wrong

take a message to Garcia

To show initiative in undertaking important or requisite tasks in the face of difficulties and/or without requiring specific instructions on how to do so. It refers to the essay "Message to Garcia," published in 1899 by Elbert Hubbard, in which a lieutenant named Andrew Rowan undertakes establishing communication with Cuban rebel leader Calixto García to create an alliance in case of war with Spain. One should always aspire to be the type of employee who will take a message to Garcia, for it says more about you than merely doing what you're told.
See also: Garcia, message, take

the medium is the message

The mode through which a message is transmitted influences how the message is received. The phrase was coined by 20th-century philosopher Marshall McLuhan. In studying this painting, we can't ignore the style that the artist chose. The medium is the message.
See also: medium, message
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Could I leave a message?

 and Can I leave a message?
Can I request that a message be written down for a person who is not available to come to the telephone. Bill: Can I talk to Fred? Mary: He's not here. Bill: Could I leave a message? Mary: Sure, I can leave a message for him.
See also: could, leave

Could I take a message?

 and Can I take a message?; May I take a message?
the phrase used on the telephone to offer to take a message and give it to the person the caller is seeking. Bill: Can I talk to Fred? Mary: He's not here. Could I take a message for him?
See also: could, take

Get the message?

 and Get the picture?
Inf. Do you understand?; Are you able to figure out what is meant? (See also (Do you) get my drift?) Things are tough around here, and we need everyone's cooperation. Get the picture? We don't need lazy people around here. Get the message?
See also: get
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get the message

Also, get the picture. Understand or infer the real import or substance of something. For example, He gestured to the waiter, who got the message and brought the bill, or Kate got the picture and decided to keep her mouth shut about the error. [Mid-1900s] Also see get it.
See also: get, message
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

get the message

COMMON If someone gets the message, they understand what you are trying to tell them, either directly or indirectly. `I'm not interested in talking about the weather, Whitlock.' `OK, I get the message.' `I have a lot to do today,' said Laura. Richard, getting the message, said goodbye.
See also: get, message
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get the message

infer an implication from a remark or action. informal
1993 Isidore Okpewho Tides I think he got the message, because he flashed me a look from the corner of his eye.
See also: get, message

send the right (or wrong) message

make a significant statement, either implicitly or by your actions.
See also: message, right, send
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

get the ˈmessage

(British English, informal) understand what somebody means, even if they do not say it directly: She said she was too busy to see me — I got the message, and didn’t ask her again.
See also: get, message

on/off ˈmessage

(of a politician) stating/not stating the official point of view of their political party: Despite their internal problems, the party maintains a public front of staying on message.
See also: message, off, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

Get the message?

and Get the picture?
interrog. Do you understand?; Are you able to figure out what is meant? How many times do I have to tell you? Do you get the message? Things are tough around here, and we need everyone’s cooperation. Get the picture?
See also: get
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

off message

Deviating from a planned set of remarks or positions: The aides worried that the candidate would make a gaffe if he went off message.
See also: message, off

on message

Following a planned set of remarks or positions.
See also: message, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • Can I leave a message?
  • Could I leave a message?
  • Could I take a message?
  • Can I take a message?
  • May I take a message?
  • wish (someone or something) off on (someone or something else)
  • unavailable energy
  • as (one) pleases
  • as you please
  • be out of order
References in classic literature
It was the sheet upon which I had scrawled the enigmatic message.
The selection of words would hardly lend itself to the sending of general messages. We will eliminate Bradshaw.
The Valley of Fear
"No, I don't care for any more of it," Lute said, when the message was completed.
You always say I am so sanely rooted to the earth and reality and all that, but--perhaps it's superstition, I don't know--but the whole occurrence, the messages of Planchette, the possibility of my father's hand, I know not how, reaching, out to Ban's rein and hurling him and you to death, the correspondence between my father's statement that he has twice attempted your life and the fact that in the last two days your life has twice been endangered by horses--my father was a great horseman--all this, I say, causes the doubt to arise in my mind.
Moon Face and Other Stories
This message makes it even more essential that we should not lose an hour in letting Hilton Cubitt know how matters stand, for it is a singular and a dangerous web in which our simple Norfolk squire is entangled."
The object of those who invented the system has apparently been to conceal that these characters convey a message, and to give the idea that they are the mere random sketches of children.
The first message submitted to me was so short that it was impossible for me to do more than to say, with some confidence, that the symbol XXX stood for E.
Hilton Cubitt he was able to give me two other short sentences and one message, which appeared--since there was no flag--to be a single word.
On examination I found that such a combination formed the termination of the message which was three times repeated.
So now I was in possession of C, O, and M, and I was in a position to attack the first message once more, dividing it into words and putting dots for each symbol which was still unknown.
I had so many letters now that I could proceed with considerable confidence to the second message, which worked out in this fashion:
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Then would he lead an expedition back, and, although the entire population of Guadalcanal he destroyed, extract from the heart of the Red One the message of the world from other worlds.
He knew the end was close; knew that in all truth he had with his eyes beheld the Red One, the messenger between the worlds; knew that he would never live to carry that message to the world--that message, for aught to the contrary, which might already have waited man's hearing in the heart of Guadalcanal for ten thousand years.
Ever he struggled to combat the fever, to live, to continue to live, to grow strong and stronger against the day when he would be strong enough to dare the grass-lands and the belted jungle beyond, and win to the beach, and to some labour-recruiting, black-birding ketch or schooner, and on to civilization and the men of civilization, to whom he could give news of the message from other worlds that lay, darkly worshipped by beastmen, in the black heart of Guadalcanal's midmost centre.
The Red One
Clements (feeling a natural confidence in the Count, as a person trusted with a secret message from Lady Glyde) gratefully accepted the offer, and they went back together to the cottage.
The Woman in White