couldn't/can't say
idiom
—used to say that someone does not know the answer to something
"When will you be done?" "I couldn't/can't say."
Examples of couldn't/can't say in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Stevens couldn't say no to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
—
Simon Thompson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
That's why Taylor couldn't say no when presented with the opportunity to tell Emma's (and Dexter's) story on the small screen.
—Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
In Birmingham, Alabama, Tuesday morning, a tree fell on a car during a storm, trapping and killing the person inside, though authorities couldn't say what caused the tree to come down.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2024
Leo Madden, a former executive at Maine Recycling in Lisbon Falls, said Card had worked at the facility but couldn't say whether he'd been recently fired or had left on his own.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2023
Due to the dynamic situation and lack of visibility inside Gaza, the administration still can't say how many Americans may be detained.
—Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2023
The group couldn't say for sure when to get that shot, as it hasn't been approved.
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and flu usually spread between Halloween and the end of spring.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 9 Aug. 2023
While Graham made it through his shark experience untouched, a Florida resident can't say the same.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 24 July 2023
Which players were there, Sparks can't say for sure beyond the photos.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023
Simon Thompson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
That's why Taylor couldn't say no when presented with the opportunity to tell Emma's (and Dexter's) story on the small screen.
—Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
In Birmingham, Alabama, Tuesday morning, a tree fell on a car during a storm, trapping and killing the person inside, though authorities couldn't say what caused the tree to come down.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2024
Leo Madden, a former executive at Maine Recycling in Lisbon Falls, said Card had worked at the facility but couldn't say whether he'd been recently fired or had left on his own.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2023
Due to the dynamic situation and lack of visibility inside Gaza, the administration still can't say how many Americans may be detained.
—Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2023
The group couldn't say for sure when to get that shot, as it hasn't been approved.
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and flu usually spread between Halloween and the end of spring.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 9 Aug. 2023
While Graham made it through his shark experience untouched, a Florida resident can't say the same.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 24 July 2023
Which players were there, Sparks can't say for sure beyond the photos.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'couldn't/can't say.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near couldn't/can't say
Cite this Entry
“Couldn't/can't say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couldn%27t%2Fcan%27t%20say. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share