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Glite Dictionary
to just say

to just say

412 6.5
Ask someone to tell you when they have enough or want more
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : decir cuándo

Examples

  • Well, just say good night.

    The End We Start From (2023)

  • May Anna learned real early to just say no to drugs.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "If you don't like the situation, you just say the word."

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Can we just say that if the wood isn't here on time, we'll have the prefab stuff ready to go?

    WWJD II: The Woodcarver (2012)

  • Just say it.

    Striptease (1996)

  • Just observe yourself; just say to yourself: "There's Herman going nuts again," and get back to work.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • When you have had enough, just say so and we can move on.

  • If you feel that what I've offered is sufficient, you can just say 'yes'.

  • If the portion is enough for you, just say that you're satisfied.

Synonyms

to say when
vsto just say
22 7.4

Tell the person who is pouring when to stop

states when an offered amount is enough or sufficient

Surface Forms

just say infinitive
just said past
just said past participle
just saying present participle
just says third person singular

Morphology

just + say

The sense 'simply tell/say it' is directly derived from combining 'just' (only/simply) with 'say' (to speak or state). This is a straightforward compositional, pragmatic prompt common in English and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

Just say comes from a simple image of a host pouring a drink and telling a guest just say when they have had 'enough'. That's why it means 'tell me when something is enough'.