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whom

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to whom it may concern

Cliché to the person to whom this applies. (A form of address used when you do not know the name of the person who handles the kind of business you are writing about.) The letter started out, "To whom it may concern." When you don't know who to write to, just say, "To whom it may concern."

See also: concern, may, whom

Whom the gods love die young.

Prov. Virtuous or gifted people die at an early age, because the gods want those people to be with them in the afterlife. So many brilliant authors and artists died before the age of fifty that it's easy to believe that whom the gods love die young.

See also: die, god, love, whom, young

With whom do you wish to speak?

a polite phrase used by people who answer the telephone to find out whom the caller wants to speak to. (Compare this with Who do you want to talk to?) John answered the telephone and then said, "With whom do you wish to speak?" Tom (answering the phone): Good morning, Acme Air Products. With whom do you wish to speak? Sue: Sorry, I have the wrong number. Tom: That's perfectly all right. Have a nice day.

See also: whom, wish

to whom it may concern

To the appropriate recipient for this message, as in I didn't know who was responsible for these complaints so I just addressed it "to whom it may concern ." This phrase is a formula used in letters, testimonials, and the like when one does not know the name of the proper person to address. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: concern, may, whom