not to put too fine a point on it

Not to belabor the point or dwell on a minor detail. Said to excuse oneself for doing exactly that. Not to put too fine a point on it, but that's a granny knot, not a square knot.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

not to put too fine a point on it

Fig. a phrase introducing a fine or important point, apologetically. Rachel: Not to put too fine a point on it, Mary, but you're still acting a little rude to Tom. Mary: I'm sorry, but that's the way I feel. John: I think, not to put too fine a point on it, you ought to do exactly as you are told. Andy: And I think you ought to mind your own business.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

not to put too fine a point on it

BRITISH

You say not to put too fine a point on it in order to show that what you are about to say may sound unpleasant, unkind, or offensive. He is, not to put too fine a point on it, a bit of a bore. Kerry's boyfriend of seven years, not to put too fine a point on it, dumped her just before their wedding.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

not to put too fine a point on it

to speak bluntly.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

not to put too fine a ˈpoint on it

used when you are about to speak very directly or honestly: Not to put too fine a point on it, I think you’ve been a complete idiot.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

not to put too fine a point on it

To speak bluntly. This analogy to a cutting tool was particularly favored by Dickens. He used it frequently and on occasion defined it, as in “Not to put too fine a point upon it—a favourite apology for plain-speaking with Mr. Snagsby” (Bleak House, 1852). It may be obsolescent in Britain and obsolete in America.

See also: fine, not, on, point, put, to

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