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mince words

idiom
Meaning

To restrain oneself when speaking by withholding some comments or using euphemisms in order to be polite, tactful, etc.


Origin

From mince (“to say or utter vaguely (not directly or frankly)”, transitive figurative verb) + words. First attested in the mid-1500s.

Examples
SIMPLE

She does not mince words when she gives feedback.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager did not mince words about the project, explaining exactly why the current strategy was a complete failure.

COMPLEX

Although he usually preferred to remain diplomatic, the critic did not mince words regarding the director's latest film, calling it a tedious and uninspired mess.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    empty words

    Any type of talk with little meaning; a message that seems to contain meaningful content but is actually vapid.

  2. 02

    have words

    To argue, to have an argument.

  3. 03

    man of few words

    A man who doesn't speak much; a habitually terse or taciturn man.

  4. 04

    mark my words

    Listen to me; used before or after a statement one wishes to emphasize, especially a prediction.

  5. 05

    mouth the words

    To speak insincerely.

  6. 06

    or words to that effect

    used to indicate a paraphrase or the chance of an error in the details of reported speech.

  7. 07

    play on words

    A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.

  8. 08

    put words in someone's mouth

    To say or imply that someone has made a statement or remark which they did not precisely or directly make.

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