tell you what | I'll tell you what

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase tell you what | I'll tell you what

Meaning

You can say this just before making a suggestion or an offer.

For example

  • "I can't give you a discount, but I'll tell you what. Buy it now and you'll get a two-year guarantee! How's that?"

  • I'd been caught speeding, and the cop said, "Tell you what. Give me fifty dollars and we'll forget about it. OK?"

Quick Quiz

After someone says "Tell you what", they might

a. make an excuse

b. make a proposal

c. make an apology
a) make an excuse b) make a proposal c) make an apology

Contributor: Matt Errey