Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to send a message

to send a message

81 3.4
To make people understand an idea or feeling without saying it directly
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : mandar un mensaje
  • The team's victory was meant to send a message to their opponents about their determination.
  • also send a message

The NCAA sends a message, very serious message about sportsmanship.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • It will send a message to the South that there is no compromise.

  • And the way that perspective changes is by people talking and people doing things that send a message or send several messages.

  • All we need to do is send a message.

    Election (1999)

  • If you can fit it in, send a message.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • My fellow Americans, today you sent a message to the whole world.

  • Perhaps it is time to send a message of our own as Americans.

    Blog text (17)

  • After that, you can send a message to the person that you have selected.

    Blog text (17)

  • I want you to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.

    Compliance (2012)

  • The NCAA sends a message, very serious message about sportsmanship.

    Lex Fridman

  • The protestors want to send a message about climate change to the government.

Synonyms

to communicate
vsto send a message
773 2.3

Share information, ideas, or feelings with someone

prefers indirect nonverbal methods like visible actions rather than direct speech
to convey
vsto send a message
199 3.4

To send information, ideas, or feelings to someone

focuses specifically on indirect actions or behavior rather than general transfer
to signal
vsto send a message
141 3.0

To give information to someone using a gesture or sign

often uses visible actions or behaviors rather than only silent movements
to make a statement
vsto send a message
125 3.8

To show an opinion in public by what you wear or do

does so indirectly through actions or subtle signals rather than public declarations
to telegraph
vsto send a message
11 5.8

To show your feelings or plans before you act, often without meaning to

usually communicates indirectly on purpose rather than revealing unintentionally
to signalize
vsto send a message
  • US
8.6

Send information using signals or movements like nods and waves

often includes general actions rather than only deliberate nonverbal cues

Antonyms

to withhold
210 5.1

Refuse to give something someone wants or needs

How Direct

to state
∞ 1.6
to signal
141 3.0
to send a message
  • Informal
81 3.4
to imply
367 3.5

Surface Forms

send a message infinitive
sending a message present participle
sends a message third person singular
sent a message past
sent a message past participle

Morphology

send + a + message

The meaning 'to communicate an idea or attitude' is directly and compositionally derived from 'send' (to cause delivery) plus 'message' (a communication), so a learner who knows both words will infer it refers to communicating something, including indirect signals. The article 'a' is semantically neutral here and the verb+noun composition is common cross-linguistically, supporting immediate comprehension at B1.

Etymology

Send a message comes from the simple idea of send and message, like physically passing a note or raising a flag to show your view. So when someone acts in a clear way, for example refusing to join or making a strict new rule, they send a message, which today means 'to communicate an idea or attitude without saying it directly'.