make a statement

English

Verb

make a statement (third-person singular simple present makes a statement, present participle making a statement, simple past and past participle made a statement)

1. (idiomatic) To implicitly communicate an idea, often through one's fashion choices.

   Synonym: send a message

   • 2001 April, David Foster Wallace, “Tense Present: Democracy, English, and the Wars over Usage”, in Harper's Magazine:

     As we sometimes also say about elements of fashion and etiquette, the way you use English "Makes a Statement" or "Sends a Message" — even though these Statements/Messages often have nothing to do with the actual information you're trying to transmit.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ a,‎ statement.

   His attorney is expected to make a statement tomorrow.

Further reading

• “make a statement”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• “make a statement”, in Collins English Dictionary.