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

It may be equally taken for granted that I did not mince matters in pointing out the merits of Dr. Schwallenberg.

From Bartholomew Sastrow Being the Memoirs of a German Burgomaster by Sastrow, Bartholomew

I regret to speak so unequivocally, but I never mince matters where my profession is concerned.

From One of My Sons by Green, Anna Katharine

The marshal felt wroth, and at the conclusion of the distribution sent for the general, whom, not to mince matters, he roundly bullied.

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

"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

He was in no mood to mince matters.

From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.