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in so many words
01
(of a fact stated) in a way that is very direct and clear
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "in so many words" and when to use it?
The idiom "in so many words" originated from the idea of explicitly expressing something using the exact or approximate number of words required. This idiomatic phrase is used to emphasize the clarity and precision of language, highlighting the intention to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding by explicitly stating the intended meaning.
Examples
She didn't explicitly say it, but in so many words, she implied that she was not happy with the decision.
