to say when
22
7.4
- phrasal verb
:
decir cuándo
- It would be good if you could write back and say when and where we could meet.
- just say when
- let me say when
- say when we stop
Now, you had also just done something in the previous trick where somebody had to say when they were going to stop.
- Now, you had also just done something in the previous trick where somebody had to say when they were going to stop.
Examples
-
Yeah, we thought... well, you know what he said when he left the band.
-
I say when it's over.
-
Second of all, what did he say when you told him I was pregnant?
-
I say when we sell!
-
Now, you had also just done something in the previous trick where somebody had to say when they were going to stop.
-
If so, how do you know when to say when to avoid financial ruin?
-
That's the kind of thing you say when someone dies, after all.
Fiction book (1991) -
Then say when.
-
Say when.
-
Just say when and I'll stop pouring your drink.
Synonyms
412
6.5
Ask someone to tell you when they have enough or want more
Surface Forms
Morphology
The imperative 'say when' is an abbreviated, compositional command meaning 'tell me when (to stop)', which follows directly from 'say' (speak) + 'when' (the time/point). The meaning results from a predictable ellipsis of a clause like 'say when to stop', so an average B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer it.
Etymology
Say when comes from the simple act of asking someone to say 'when' while you pour, so their spoken 'when' marks the moment to 'stop'.