mince matters

Idioms  

1. Also, mince words. Moderate or restrain one's language to be polite or avoid giving offense. Today these phrases are nearly always put negatively, as in Not to mince matters, I feel he should resign, or Don't mince words—say what you mean. The usage dates from the mid-1500s and transfers cutting something such as meat into small pieces to minimizing the harsh impact of words.

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Example Sentences

"We need not mince matters," pursued Fell, slowly.

From The Mardi Gras Mystery by Bedford-Jones, H. (Henry)

This time Billy Webster did not mince matters.

From The Camp Fire Girls' Careers by Vandercook, Margaret

"Don't mince matters with me, for the sake of sparing me," continued L'Estrange.

From The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly by Lever, Charles James

"You do not mince matters, uncle Ro," put in Patt, "and will never go to Congress."

From The Chainbearer Or, The Littlepage Manuscripts by Cooper, James Fenimore

See here, Mr. Faxon," he said, with characteristic disdain of subtlety, "let's not mince matters.

From Thirty by O'Brien, Howard Vincent