We can't be reminded too often to do or say the right things.
We can't be reminded too often that relationships are valuable or that reconciliation is worth pursuing.
What does this "can't be reminded too often" combination mean? Is this an idiom?
We can't be reminded too often to do or say the right things.
We can't be reminded too often that relationships are valuable or that reconciliation is worth pursuing.
What does this "can't be reminded too often" combination mean? Is this an idiom?
Let's say my daughter is 7, and she wants to play with her friend who lives across the street. On Saturday, before heading out the door, I remind her:
Be careful when you cross the street. Be sure to look both ways first.
On Sunday, she wants to play again. So I say:
Make sure you look both ways before you cross the street!
On Monday, after school, she asks me if she can go visit her friend. I answer:
Sure you can, as long as you remember to be careful when you cross the street.
On Tuesday, the conversation might go like this:
Can I go play with Zelda?
Sure you can. Just make sure you're careful when you cross the street.
Why do you always tell me that?
Because, crossing the street can be dangerous. You can't be reminded too often to be careful.
Another related expression is: I can't emphasize enough. I could have said:
Crossing the street can be dangerous. I can't emphasize enough: you need to be careful.'
Both expressions essentially mean: I realize I may have told you this before, but, this is so important, I'd feel better if you'd let me remind you again.
What it is supposed to mean is that such reminders are so important that the more often we hear them, the better. There is no such thing as being reminded too often. There are many variations of the turn of phrase, but beware. Saturday Night Live did a whole skit once about just how ambiguous that phrasing can be. "You can't add too much pepper to this soup." Is that cautionary? Don't add too much? Or is it suggesting that the more pepper, the better?
EDIT: My concern is not that the ambiguity is built into the phrasing, it's not. The correct meaning is "the more the better". The problem with this particular turn of phrase is that it is so often misunderstood, even used incorrectly. Since the whole point of language is to communicate, I recommend avoiding using this type of phrase except with very fluent speakers of English, or at least being sure that you include enough context that your point is very clear.
Can't [anything] too often means do the action in moderation. Perhaps you and the person speaking are returning from a class explaining something, and you don't want to get tired of hearing the content again and again.