say it, don't spray it
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One should be careful not to spit or spray saliva when speaking.
Register: humorous, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The three-year-old I babysit always spits on me when talking. I know he doesn't mean it, but telling him "say it, don't spray it" just doesn't work.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “say it, don't spray it” mean?
One should be careful not to spit or spray saliva when speaking.
Is “say it, don't spray it” formal or informal?
say it, don't spray it is generally humorous, slang.