mince words, not to

not mince words (or matters)

speak candidly and directly, especially when criticizing someone or something.

See also: mince, not, word

mince words, not to

To speak plainly, without equivocating to avoid giving offense. This expression, also put as not to mince matters, dates from Shakespeare’s time (he used it in Othello and Antony and Cleopatra) and in effect transfers the cutting into small pieces of some object, like meat, to moderating or softening one’s language.

See also: mince, not