IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishnot mince one's words
Meaning: To speak frankly, even bluntly.
Example: “The judge didn't mince her words when she sentenced him.”
Origin: To "mince" is to cut meat finely to make it easier to eat; "mincing" words softens them. The phrase is found from the 16th century.
Other ways to say this
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
Italian: Non avere peli sulla lingua Literally: To have no hairs on your tongue
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
More English idioms
- have a heavy heart To feel sad or burdened.
- in one's heart of hearts In one's deepest private feelings.
- promise the moon To promise something impossible to deliver.
- Indian summer A period of warm weather in autumn; also a late, happy period in life.
- an old hand Someone with long experience at something.
- Ariadne's thread Something that guides one through a complicated problem.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Без царя в голове (Bez tsarya v golove) Foolish and reckless — with no one in charge upstairs.
- Cabeça de alho chocho A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
Keep exploring