ask someone point-blank

ask (someone) point-blank

To ask someone something in a blunt and direct manner. For all his faults, at least John will ask you point-blank when he needs something, rather than dancing around the issue like most people.

See also: ask

ask (or tell, etc.) someone point-blank

ask (or tell, etc.) someone something very directly, abruptly, or rudely.

In its literal sense point-blank describes a shot or bullet fired from very close to its target. One of the earliest senses of the noun blank was ‘the white spot in the centre of a target’.

See also: ask, someone