say to

say (something) to (one)

To speak to one; to tell one a word or phrase. Say sorry to your sister! Sorry, did you say something to me?
See also: say

say (something) to (oneself)

To have a specific thought. I know what you're saying to yourself: "This can't be real." Well, I'm sorry to say that it is. I've been saying to myself that we need to invest in a better washing machine.
See also: say

say to (oneself)

1. To vocalize one's thoughts without addressing them to anyone in particular, especially in a lowered voice or in one's mind. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "say" and "to." "You can do this," I said to myself. "You've done it before and you can do it again." I could hear him saying things to himself as I came down the stairs.
2. To form or focus on some particular thought in one's mind. I keep saying to myself that I will start exercising more regularly, but I just keep letting the days slip by. He said to himself that he would never let himself get duped like that again.
See also: say
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

say something to someone

to tell something to someone. He didn't say anything to me. Did someone say something to you?
See also: say

say something to something

to say yes or no to a proposal, request, etc. I hope you will say yes to my proposal. Nothing was said to your request at the last meeting.
See also: say
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • say (something) to (one)
  • sorry to say
  • say when
  • speak from the/(one's) heart
  • mean to say
  • go further
  • say again
  • (I) can't say that I do
  • can't say that I do
  • say (something) for (someone or something)
References in classic literature
What do you say to this answer?--Figure is the only thing which always follows colour.
And if he were a philosopher of the eristic and antagonistic sort, I should say to him: You have my answer, and if I am wrong, your business is to take up the argument and refute me.
Meno
I was then in a sad condition indeed, for as there is no great bustle in putting an end to a poor body's family when once they are carried to the grave, so the poor good woman being buried, the parish children she kept were immediately removed by the church-wardens; the school was at an end, and the children of it had no more to do but just stay at home till they were sent somewhere else; and as for what she left, her daughter, a married woman with six or seven children, came and swept it all away at once, and removing the goods, they had no more to say to me than to jest with me, and tell me that the little gentlewoman might set up for herself if she pleased.
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders
"They wouldn't have nothink to say to me if I wos to go to a nice innocent place fur to live.
Bleak House
"Say to the CEO: 'I could learn from it.' Sometimes, VPMAs stay away because they don't feel comfortable talking about strategic planning so they stick with medical staff stuff." Ingo Angermeier, president and CEO, Spartanburg Region Healthcare System, Spartanburg, S.C., says doctors should absolutely attend financial meetings to represent the interests of the medical staff, especially, for instance, when there is a discussion of capital expenditures.
Physician executives--the Lone Rangers of administration?
I want to say to gays, 'Have you learned nothing?'"
Campus byways: bisexual students at several colleges say they face discrimination from campus gay groups. So now they're striking out on their own
"It's a dynamic environment and what I say to new teachers is that this is a very, very different teaching model," Maddock says.
3D and far out: take one part equipment, one part training, mix with enthusiasm. What do you get? A multimedia program that propels students to push the limits of traditional education. (Focus: multimedia)(Cover Story)
"We need to say to a grieving person that the church is here for you."
Ritual rewards: blessed are those who mourn