Put It Mildly – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever described a terrible storm by saying, “It was a bit windy—to put it mildly”? Or called a chaotic party “lively—to put it mildly”? In English, to put it mildly is a polite, often humorous way to say that a situation is actually much more extreme than your words suggest. It’s a form of understatement that lets you downplay something intense while hinting at its real severity.
What Does “To Put It Mildly” Mean?
“To put it mildly” means to describe something in a deliberately gentle or calm way—even though the reality is far more dramatic, intense, or extreme. Think of it like whispering about a thunderstorm: your words are soft, but everyone knows it’s really roaring outside. The phrase signals that you’re being tactful, modest, or ironic.
When to Use It
Use “to put it mildly” in conversational, humorous, or diplomatic contexts:
• When softening strong emotions: “I was furious—to put it mildly.”
• In humorous understatement: “The concert was loud—to put it mildly!”
• When being polite about a problem: “He’s not the most reliable—to put it mildly.”
It’s informal but widely used—great for speaking, storytelling, and light sarcasm. Avoid it in formal writing, but it’s perfect for real-life nuance.
Example Sentences
- The traffic was bad—to put it mildly. It took three hours to go five miles!
- She’s talented—to put it mildly. She’s won five international awards!
- He was disappointed—to put it mildly—when his flight got canceled.
- Our team lost badly—to put it mildly. It was 10–0.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “How was your trip?”
Jamie: “Eventful—to put it mildly. Missed flights, lost luggage, and a power outage!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “to put it mildly” when your statement is already strong or dramatic—it only works when your words are *understating* the truth. Also, always place it at the end of the sentence (or after a comma), never at the beginning.
❌ Don’t say: “To put it mildly, the movie was the worst I’ve ever seen.” (That’s not mild!)
✅ Do say: “The movie was… interesting—to put it mildly.”
✅ Do say: “He’s a little late—to put it mildly. He’s three hours behind!”
Practice Tip
Next time you describe something intense—traffic, weather, a performance—try understating it on purpose, then add “to put it mildly.” For example: “It’s a bit crowded—to put it mildly.” This builds humor, tact, and native-like rhythm.
Final Note
Now you can use “to put it mildly” to add wit, humility, or diplomatic flair to your English—just like native speakers do! It’s a clever phrase that lets you say a lot… by saying less. Keep listening for it in shows, interviews, and polite rants. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people speak with style and subtlety. Keep going—you’ve got this!