Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    englishstudent is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    438

    Question "You can say that again"

    Hi,

    What is the exact meaning of "You can say that again"?
    Does it mean that I am in strong agreement with
    what you said?

    In comic scenes on TV, when a person says "You can say that
    again
    ", I have seen the other person actually repeat
    the sentence.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    mykwyner is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • United States
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    2,045

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Once again, your first impression is correct.

    In the comic scenes you mentioned, the writers were trying to get a laugh from someone taking an idiom literally.

    This is usually considered funny only by people under the age of 7.

  3. #3
    englishstudent is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    438

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Thank you mykwyner. :)

  4. #4
    MrPedantic is offline Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • England
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    2,585

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Yes; maybe we could interpret "you can say that again!" as "I have no objection to your repeating that statement", thus "I agree with your statement".

    MrP

  5. #5
    englishstudent is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    438

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Quote Originally Posted by MrPedantic View Post
    Yes; maybe we could interpret "you can say that again!" as "I have no objection to your repeating that statement", thus "I agree with your statement".
    MrP
    That is a good way to understand/remember it. Thanks, MrP.

  6. #6
    retro's Avatar
    retro is offline Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Hungarian
      • Home Country:
      • Hungary
      • Current Location:
      • Hungary
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    347

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Quote Originally Posted by mykwyner View Post
    Once again, your first impression is correct.

    In the comic scenes you mentioned, the writers were trying to get a laugh from someone taking an idiom literally.

    This is usually considered funny only by people under the age of 7.
    So, using it in front of an adult, won't work?

  7. #7
    MrPedantic is offline Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • England
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    2,585

    Default Re: "You can say that again"

    Hello Retro

    I've no doubt it would often work.

    All the best,

    MrP

Similar Threads

  1. "You bet" or "You betcha" in response to "Thanks"
    By englishstudent in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-Aug-2006, 16:03
  2. "You don't wanna test me!"
    By Blabbermouth in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-Jul-2006, 20:35
  3. Not clear "Yet Again"
    By murli_18@yahoo.com in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 18-May-2006, 13:28
  4. "you should be on your toes"
    By 1364 in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 27-Aug-2005, 14:15

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Hotchalk

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.1