“If You Will” Meaning (Plus, How To Use This Phrase)

PDF download Download Article
Explaining what this polite, English phrase means
PDF download Download Article

You’ve probably heard people say the phrase “If you will,” but what does it actually mean? “If you will” has 2 common meanings: it can be used as an idiom to say “If you wish to call it that” or as a polite phrase to make a request sound nicer. In this article, we’ll go over what “If you will” means, when and how to use it, and what other phrases mean the same thing. Read on to learn more!

“If You Will” Definition

“If you will” is an idiom that’s used after an expression or phrase that may be considered unusual, uncommon, or metaphorical in nature. It essentially means, “If you want to call it that” or “If you’ll allow it.” “If you will” can also be used before or after a request to make it sound more polite.

Section 1 of 4:

What does “If you will” mean?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    “If you will” is a polite idiom that literally means “If you wish to call it that” or “If you allow me to describe it like that.” People say this phrase to qualify an expression that other people might find unusual, uncommon, or incorrect. For instance, you often say it after a metaphorical phrase to acknowledge that it’s strange or to make a shocking expression sound more agreeable. [1]
    • “I’ve never seen someone so stressed out. She looked like she was trying to steer a boat out of the path of an iceberg, if you will.”
    • “This place is a complete mess, a pigsty, if you will.”
    • Note : In this phrase, “will” is not used as an auxiliary verb to form the future tense (e.g., “I will run”). Instead, “will” means “to wish” or “to want.” This is the Old English definition of “will” and is considered archaic except when used in phrases like “If you will” and “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    People often say “If you will” before or after they make a request. Adding this phrase to their request helps make it sound more gentle and polite.
    • “If you will, lock the door on your way out.”
    • “Imagine, if you will, a pool in the backyard. This house has so much potential.”
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

When and How to Use “If You Will”

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you say a phrase or analogy that might be unfamiliar or odd to other people, add “If you will” after it to make your statement sound more agreeable or polite. This term has a more formal sound, so it’s appropriate to use it at work, in school, or with your friends and family.
    • “You are barking up the wrong tree, if you will. Matt sees you as competition, so he’s not going to help you out.”
    • “The cake is way too sweet. It tastes like a candy factory, if you will.”
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you’re leading a meeting with important clients at work or serving customers at a fancy restaurant and need to ask them to do something, add “If you will” to your request. This Old English phrase has a formal and elegant tone, which helps you sound more polite and classy.
    • “If you will, follow me to the conference room to get this meeting started.”
    • “If you will, put away your phones at the table. This is a device-free restaurant.”
    3. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

“I Will If You Will” Meaning

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    “I will if you will” is a common phrase that indicates you are only willing to do something if the person you’re talking to agrees to do it as well. For instance, you might say this when you’re challenged to a dare or want to convince someone to do something with you.
    • Them : “I dare you to try the super spicy chicken wings!”
      You : “I will if you will!”
    • Them : “I know we should do our homework, but I really don’t want to.”
      You : “I will if you will! We can work together and get it done quicker.”
Section 4 of 4:

Similar Phrases to “If You Will”

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    “So to speak” is another phrase that you say after using a unique expression or analogy. Like “If you will,” this phrase acknowledges the fact that the phrase you used might be unusual or silly. [2]
    • “Being late to work was a blessing in disguise, so to speak. I didn’t have to deal with the power outage like everyone else.”
    • Other similar phrases include :
      • “In a manner of speaking…”
      • “That is to say…”
      • “One might say…”
      • “If you like…”
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-If-You-Will-Meaning-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    “If you please” is another fancy-sounding phrase that helps make a request sound courteous and respectful. It’s also appropriate to use in formal situations. [3]
    • “If you please, take off your shoes before coming inside.”
    • Other similar phrases include :
      • “If you would be so kind…”
      • “Kindly…”
      • “Please…”
      • “If you wouldn’t mind…”
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      50+ Ways to Wish Someone a Bright Future & Good Luck
      How to
      Find Your Doppelgӓnger (or Twin)
      What Does a Forehead Kiss Mean? 10+ Reasons Behind This Personal Peck
      200+ Favorite Things Questions to Ask
      160+ Good Roasts to Burn Your Friends & Family Members
      How to
      Roast People: Finding Joke Ideas, Crafting Punchlines & More
      Similarities and Differences Between Sigma Males and Alpha Males
      How to
      Answer “How’s It Going?” in Any Situation
      How to
      Get Revenge on Anyone
      What to Say to a Narcissist to Shut Them Down
      Controversial Hot Takes and Prompts to Create Spicy Debates
      How to
      Compliment a Girl's Eyes
      What He Thinks When You Don't Contact Him
      What Does it Mean When a Guy Puts His Hand on Your Thigh?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/will
      2. ↑ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/so-to-speak
      3. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/if-you-please

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 306 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement