Right

[0040] Exactly

🎲 Totally
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Expresses complete and strong agreement with what someone has just said.
  • Confirms that the previous statement is perfectly accurate or captures the speaker's own thoughts precisely. More emphatic than Yes or Right.

Origin

  • The adverb form of the adjective exact (precise, accurate, correct in every detail).
  • Used straightforwardly to mean in an exact manner or precisely.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Precisely. / Absolutely. / Totally. (Similar strong agreement)
  • Definitely. / For sure. (Informal strong agreement)
  • You got it. / That's it. / That's right.
  • Spot on. (Especially UK/Aus)
  • Right. (Less emphatic)
  • Indeed. (More formal)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Totally.
  • For sure.
  • 100%. / One hundred percent.
  • Word. / Word up. (AAVE influence, strong agreement/affirmation)
  • Preach. (Often online/youth slang, strong agreement with an opinion, as if endorsing a sermon)
  • True dat. (AAVE origin, affirmation, 'that is true')
  • Spot on. (UK/Aus)
  • Nailed it. / You hit the nail on the head.
  • Tell me about it. (Expresses shared experience/agreement, often with slight exasperation)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fuckin' A. / Fucking right.
  • Damn right. / Damn straight.
  • No shit. / No shit, Sherlock. (Can be sarcastic agreement with the obvious)

Milder/Standard:

  • Precisely.
  • Absolutely.
  • That's correct. / That's right.
  • Indeed. (More formal)
  • Couldn't agree more.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Widely acceptable in most contexts, from informal chats to formal discussions, whenever strong agreement is genuinely felt and appropriate.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Rarely misunderstood; it clearly signals strong agreement.
  • If used sarcastically (which is rare and requires strong tonal cues), it would mean the opposite.

Examples

  • So you're saying we need to be more careful? / Exactly.
  • It feels like we're going in circles. / Exactly! That's what I've been thinking.
  • Is this the button I should press? / Exactly.

Dialogue

Social Media Examples

  • Quote Tweet of an opinion: Exactly. This sums up the situation perfectly.
  • Reply to a comment interpreting a situation: Is the core issue the lack of transparency? -> Reply: Exactly.
  • Comment on a relatable post: This feeling! -> Reply: Exactly!!

Response Patterns

  • Used to strongly affirm or agree with another person's statement, interpretation, or summary.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing Exactly!:

  • The original speaker might feel validated and elaborate further: Exactly! And another thing...
  • The person who said Exactly might add their own supporting point: Exactly! Because if we don't...
  • It often signals strong alignment and can strengthen the conversational bond.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • It's a direct response confirming someone else's statement.

Intonation

  • Usually said with conviction and emphasis, often stressing the second syllable: Ex-AC-tly.
  • Typically has a falling intonation, signifying certainty.
  • Can be delivered with enthusiasm (Exactly!).

Generation Differences

  • Universal. Used across all age groups.

Regional Variations

  • Universal in all English-speaking regions.
Right
🎲 Totally