there is an understatement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is an understatement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to highlight that a statement is less forceful or less significant than it actually is. Example: "Saying that the weather was 'a bit chilly' during the blizzard is an understatement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Out there" is an understatement.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There's an understatement.

The New York Times

Well, there's an understatement.

Independent

Now there's an understatement.

The New York Times

If ever there was an understatement.

The Guardian

She said the Blunt amendment's scope was too wide (now, there's an understatement).

The New York Times

There's an understatement for you.

Huffington Post

As one lady simply but accurately stated in her refusal to return to Earthly life, "People are not nice there!" This is an understatement to say the least.

Huffington Post

"To say that the conditions there were atrocious is an understatement".

Vice

"To say there was animosity is an understatement," the aide told me.

The New Yorker

On first impression, to say the sight is underwhelming is an understatement: there are about a dozen empty frames spaced around a darkened room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is an understatement" to politely express disagreement with a statement that seems too weak or doesn't fully capture the gravity of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "there is an understatement" too frequently in informal settings, as it can come across as sarcastic or condescending. Opt for more direct and casual alternatives like "that's putting it mildly" or "to say the least".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is an understatement" functions as a comment on a previous statement. It's used to signal that the prior statement fails to adequately describe the true situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and highlights when a statement is less forceful than it actually is.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there is an understatement" is a grammatically correct way to politely indicate that a previous statement is a weaker representation of the truth. As identified by Ludwig AI, while grammatically sound, it is a rare phrase, predominantly found in neutral to formal registers, often within News & Media. For a more casual tone, alternatives such as "that's putting it mildly" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of overuse to avoid sounding sarcastic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's putting it mildly

This alternative uses different wording to express the same idea of downplaying something.

that's a mild way to put it

Slightly more verbose, this emphasizes the mildness of the original statement.

to say the least

A common idiom that suggests there's much more to the situation than stated.

it's more than that

Directly challenges the initial statement, implying a greater magnitude.

that's a gross simplification

Highlights that the original statement omitted many relevant details, resulting in a false sense of understanding.

it doesn't quite capture it

Indicates the original statement fails to accurately describe the situation's intensity or complexity.

that hardly scratches the surface

Emphasizes the superficiality of the initial description compared to the actual reality.

it's selling it short

Suggests the original statement does not give enough credit or importance to the subject.

that's just the tip of the iceberg

Implies that the visible part is only a small fraction of the entire problem or situation.

it's far more significant than that

Emphasizes the importance and magnitude surpassing the given statement.

FAQs

What does "there is an understatement" mean?

It means that a statement is less forceful or significant than it should be, implying that the reality is much greater or more extreme than what was expressed. It's a way of politely disagreeing with a statement that seems too weak.

How can I use "there is an understatement" in a sentence?

You can use it when you want to emphasize that a statement minimizes the true extent or impact of something. For example: "Saying the project was challenging, there is an understatement."

What can I say instead of "there is an understatement"?

You can use alternatives like "that's putting it mildly", "to say the least", or "that's a gross simplification" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "there is an understatement"?

It is suitable in situations where you want to politely correct or challenge a statement that minimizes the reality. However, it's important to consider your audience and the context, as overuse or inappropriate use can be perceived as sarcastic.