Here's a breakdown of its components:
* "will say nothing": This implies that the speaker has been silenced or their words validated by events. They no longer need to argue or explain their position.
* "but I told you": This highlights the speaker's prior knowledge or prediction, emphasizing their foresight and the fact that they were correct.
Example:
Imagine a group of friends is discussing a new business idea. One friend is enthusiastic, while the others are doubtful. The enthusiastic friend says, "This is going to be a huge success, I can feel it!" A few weeks later, the business takes off and becomes incredibly profitable. The friend who was doubtful might now say, "Well, I'll say nothing but I told you!"
The phrase conveys a sense of smugness and satisfaction at being right. It can also be used playfully among friends, highlighting a shared history and the humor of one person being proven right.