better left unsaid

USAGE SUMMARY

"better left unsaid" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means that it is best not to mention something or to keep it secret. Example: "I know the truth about what happened, but it's better left unsaid. It would only cause more hurt and conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some history is better left unsaid, especially when it's being revised.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps some things are better left unsaid, but his argument had a sound logic.

The Guardian - Sport

"In retrospect, it's probably better left unsaid," said Barber, who all but called Strahan greedy.

The New York Times - Sports

No one makes it through a life without words better left unsaid, poor judgments or thoughtless omissions.

The New York Times

In marriage therapy, this fear makes particular sense, because the therapy carries not only the threat of learning things about yourself that you might prefer not to know but also the hazard of saying things to your spouse that are better left unsaid, as well as hearing things from your spouse that you might prefer not to hear.

The New York Times - Magazine

Better left unsaid.Small and medium-sized companies are between 20 and 200 times less likely to use robots than large ones in similar sectors, according to a study carried out by Metra Martech, a consultancy, for the IFR.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"Dad always reckoned some things were better off left unsaid, didn't he?" a sister says at one point, characterizing the "family curse" as well as the novel's driving theme and guiding moral conundrum: Would the truth help or harm Alice?

The New York Times - Books

Of the Fed's internal doubts, he remarks thatIn the end, some things are just better left unsaid.In my view, the market reaction is a very strong signal of why the Fed won't change policy any time soon.

The Economist

Some questions are better left unanswered.

The New Yorker

So much is better left unseen.

The New Yorker

Some things are better left unknown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better left unsaid" when you want to subtly indicate that revealing certain information could be harmful or unproductive. It's a way of acknowledging sensitive subjects without explicitly diving into them.

Common error

Avoid using "better left unsaid" excessively in formal or professional writing, as it can come across as evasive or lacking transparency. Instead, opt for more direct and tactful language to address sensitive issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better left unsaid" functions as a qualifier, indicating that certain information should not be disclosed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure. The phrase avoids explicit details while hinting at sensitive or problematic issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better left unsaid" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to imply that certain information is best kept private or unmentioned. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it skillfully navigates sensitive topics by hinting at their existence without explicitly detailing them. When writing, use it to subtly acknowledge sensitive subjects, but avoid overuse in formal settings. Consider alternatives like "best not to mention" or "should remain unspoken" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should remain unspoken

Directly states that the information should not be voiced.

best not to mention

Focuses on the action of mentioning, suggesting avoidance.

wisest to keep quiet about

Emphasizes the wisdom of silence on a particular subject.

advisable to hold back

Suggests caution and restraint in revealing information.

more prudent to omit

Highlights the careful consideration of leaving something out.

more appropriate to conceal

Focuses on the appropriateness of hiding something.

ought to be suppressed

Implies a deliberate effort to keep something from being known.

preferable to keep confidential

Stresses the benefit of maintaining secrecy.

wiser to keep under wraps

Indicates that keeping something secret is the more intelligent approach.

discretion is advised

Implies that using tact and carefulness is beneficial.

FAQs

How can I use "better left unsaid" in a sentence?

You can use "better left unsaid" to imply that something is best not mentioned, such as, "While I know the details, some things are "better left unsaid" to avoid causing further conflict."

What's a more formal alternative to "better left unsaid"?

In more formal contexts, you might consider phrases like "it is more prudent to omit" or "the details are best kept confidential" as alternatives to "better left unsaid".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "better left unsaid"?

It's appropriate when discussing sensitive or potentially harmful information where bringing it up explicitly would cause more problems. It's a way of acknowledging something without detailing it, signaling that "discretion is advised".

Is "better left unsaid" a common expression?

Yes, "better left unsaid" is a fairly common expression in English, used to suggest that some topics are "should remain unspoken" for various reasons, often due to their sensitive or controversial nature.