What Does "Dictated but Not Read" Mean?
"Dictated but not read" is an English idiom. It means "a note indicating that the document was dictated to a secretary or assistant who typed it, but was not reviewed by the author."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "dictated but not read" used in a sentence:- He's so busy that all his letters are dictated but not read.
- This document is full of errors; it's clearly been dictated but not read.
- Be careful with these notes; they were dictated but not read.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Dictated but Not Read" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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