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

Not to mince matters, it was his one conspicuous failure, and is now pretty universally admitted as such.

From Charles Darwin by Allen, Grant

Referring to Mapleson once more, who was never inclined to mince matters when he was annoyed by a prima donna, we get the following anecdote.

From Famous Singers of To-day and Yesterday by Lahee, Henry C.

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

From The Tigress by Warner, Anne

It did not mince matters as to the dangers she was running.

From The Pastor's Wife by Arnim, Elizabeth von

It is not my habit to mince matters.

From Held by Chinese Brigands by Strang, Herbert