speak volumes

speak volumes

To reveal or indicate a great deal about someone or something. How you react to challenges speaks volumes about your character. He didn't answer the question directly, but his response speaks volumes. Her choice of dress for the event spoke volumes.
See also: speak, volume
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

speak volumes

Fig. [for something that is seen] to reveal a great deal of information. The unsightly yard and unpainted house speaks volumes about what kind of people live there.
See also: speak, volume
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

speak volumes

Be significant, indicate a great deal, as in That house of theirs speaks volumes about their income. This idiom uses volumes in the sense of "the information contained in volumes of books." [c. 1800]
See also: speak, volume
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

speak volumes

COMMON If something speaks volumes, it gives you a lot of information about the true facts of a situation. What you wear speaks volumes about you. Her background, while speaking volumes about her business skills, could not convince the arts world that she was part of it. Note: In this expression, a `volume' is a book.
See also: speak, volume
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

speak volumes

1 (of a gesture, circumstance, or object) convey a great deal. 2 be good evidence for.
2 1998 New Scientist It was a minor scandal… but it spoke volumes about the world's shifting relationship with its favourite illicit drug.
See also: speak, volume
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

speak ˈvolumes (about/for somebody/something)

show or express a lot about the nature or quality of somebody/something: Her face spoke volumes. You could see how much she had suffered. The progress he’s made since the operation speaks volumes for his courage.
See also: speak, volume
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

speak volumes, to

To say a great deal about something, to be very expressive on a subject. In this hyperbolic phrase, what is being said is likened to an entire book. It dates from about 1800 and continues to be current. M. Wilmot used it in a letter of May 3, 1803, “A sentimental story that speaks Volumes in favour of the Count and his Daughter.”
See also: speak
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • speak volumes, to
  • laugh at
  • laugh at (someone or something)
  • put too much on (something)
  • put too much on it
  • flip (one's) lid
  • flip lid
  • flip one’s lid
  • flip one's lid
  • flip your lid
References in classic literature
Two letters have passed between these parties, letters which are admitted to be in the handwriting of the defendant, and which speak volumes, indeed.
The Posthumous Papers Of The Pickwick Club
'The numbers speak volumes of the confidence of the international community on the human rights record of the Duterte administration and its vision of keeping each and every Filipino safe and secure,' Cayetano said.
PH in UNHRC shows int'l 'confidence' on Duterte admin's rights record
The present highest foreign exchange reserves in Pakistan's history speak volumes of the success of the government's economic policies.
PM lauds economic team for putting country on path of sustainable growth
Just looking at the development of the 'pimp your weapon' system, the layers of additional depth here speak volumes about how all areas have been fine-tuned - from the eye-popping disaster movie setting to stronger partner AI and a much better multiplayer mode.
topgame
Julian Grocock, the society's chief executive, said: "These are impressive figures that speak volumes for the talent of small brewers."
Growth year for small brewers
But doesn't it also speak volumes about ingrained stereotypical prejudices?
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Rural bias?
Bradley's legacy continues to speak volumes to many aspiring black journalists.
Ed Bradley made our stories prime-time news: veteran CBS News correspondent succumbs to leukemia
Beck Ag partner, Margaret Oldham says the numbers speak volumes when it comes to explaining the strength offered the entire channel through word of mouth marketing strategies.
Supercharging the message: positively impacting the market channel
Your look in class and rehearsal can speak volumes. Many dancers turn to their idols for inspiration in style as well as performance.
Wear it like the stars
For the past two decades I've been a denizen of these wonderful repositories of culture that speak volumes about life and living there.
City of New Orleans
If anyone wanted to explore the intricate differences between the male and female psyches, the plethora of articles we received on nurturing the female body and the single piece, by request, on male sexual health speak volumes about feminine and masculine priorities.
Letter from the editor
A firm's price creates an acoustic effect in the marketplace, which over the long term will speak volumes about the firm and its level of self-esteem.
You are what you charge: ultimately, a business is defined by that for which it collects revenue, and it collects revenue only for that which it decides to charge
Daley said businesses look at what a city has to offer before making any major decision and future growth and development speak volumes.
Daley: NYC must grow to prosper
The many tributes from other celebrities speak volumes about this lovely young woman who lived her life and bore the pain of her illness with dignity.
ANNA SMITH: SUCH DIGNITY
Blige, Mos Def and Prince are snapped by a host of photographers who capture both the in-your-face attitude and rhythm of a culture and a generation that speak volumes.
The look of hip-hop