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

See Examples For:

mince matters

The Clerk, in fact, did not mince matters, but frankly characterized as exaggerated and unjust his chief's tirade against Franz.

From The Lonely House by Streckfuss, Adolph

His grace, out of ear-shot of the duchess, didn't mince matters.

From The Tigress by Warner, Anne

This time Billy Webster did not mince matters.

From The Camp Fire Girls' Careers by Vandercook, Margaret

"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

Not to mince matters, he had been tampered with.

From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.