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

He was in no mood to mince matters.

From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.

It seems that when he was angry the Maréchal didn't mince matters, and used most emphatic expressions.

From Letters of a Diplomat's Wife 1883-1900 by Waddington, Mary King

Not to mince matters, he had been tampered with.

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

Not to mince matters, the affair happened in this way, and I speak on excellent authority.

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