mince words, not to

(redirected from to not mince words)

not mince words

To speak very bluntly and directly, without regard for someone else's feelings. A possessive adjective can be used between "mince" and "words." Wow, your aunt really doesn't mince words. Is my sweatshirt really that ugly? Let me know what you think of the story when you're done, and, please, don't mince your words.

not mince words (or matters)

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

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.