Non avere peli sulla lingua

Meaning: To speak bluntly and hold nothing back.

Literally: To have no hairs on your tongue

Example: “La dottoressa non ha peli sulla lingua: mi ha detto di smettere subito.” — The doctor didn't mince her words: she told me to stop right away.

English equivalent: Not to mince one's words

Origin: A tongue with hairs on it would trip and stumble over its words. Having no hairs on one's tongue is speaking freely and bluntly, without holding anything back. Spanish has the same phrase, no tener pelos en la lengua, and French says ne pas avoir la langue dans sa poche.

Equivalents in other languages

Spanish: No tener pelos en la lengua Literally: To have no hairs on the tongue
French: Appeler un chat un chat Literally: To call a cat a cat
Norwegian: Å snakke rett fra leveren Literally: To speak straight from the liver
Portuguese: nu e cru Literally: Naked and raw
Polish: bez owijania w bawełnę Literally: Without wrapping in cotton
English: call a spade a spade
French: Ne pas y aller par quatre chemins Literally: Not to go by four roads
French: Ne pas mâcher ses mots Literally: Not to chew one's words
English: not mince one's words