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

What need was there for him to mince matters?

From Norine's Revenge; Sir Noel's Heir by Fleming, May Agnes

"Lads, in cases like this," cried the carpenter, "we must not mince matters; and if the worst comes to the worst Billy Cheeks must do his duty."

From The Life of a Celebrated Buccaneer A Page of Past History for the Use of the Children of To-day by Clynton, Richard

And that hall porter didn't mince matters either.

From The Heart of a Woman by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

Not to mince matters, he had been tampered with.

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

"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