ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not to put too fine a point on it

idiom
Meaning

Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.


Origin

disputed origin

A reference to the fact that the speaker is about to say something blunt rather than fine (that is, delicate or subtle).

Examples
SIMPLE

Not to put too fine a point on it, your work is poor.

CONTEXTUAL

Not to put too fine a point on it, the team failed because nobody followed the instructions.

COMPLEX

Not to put too fine a point on it, the entire project was fundamentally flawed from its inception, rendering all subsequent efforts futile.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beside the point

    Irrelevant, moot.

  2. 02

    boiling point

    The state of being heated, with high aggression.

  3. 03

    brownie point

    Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.

  4. 04

    chance'd be a fine thing

    Synonym of no chance or fat chance, with a somewhat more cheerful attitude.

  5. 05

    down to a fine art

    To a point of exceptional proficiency.

  6. 06

    fine feathers make fine birds

    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

  7. 07

    fine line

    A difference, albeit vague and difficult to discern.

  8. 08

    fine print

    The details, restrictions, terms, or conditions, especially of a contract, often printed in very small type.

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