Definitions by Brighton Hughes

Speak softly, but carry a big @ 

An admonition, intended for bosses, to avoid giving unpleasant news face to face, but rather save it for an email. ("@" is pronounced "at sign".)

I told everybody at last month's department meeting that the future looked bright. Two weeks later I send them all an email about the budget cuts and layoffs. It saves me listening to a lot of bitching from that bunch of peons. My daddy taught me a long time ago to Speak softly, but carry a big @!

Speak softly, but carry a big @ by Brighton Hughes March 1, 2013