What does the idiom mince words mean?
Definition of mince no words : to speak in a very direct and honest way without worrying about offending someone She minces no words in stating her opinions.
Is mince words an idiom?
Definition. If you mince your words, you speak vaguely or indirectly. This idiom is often used in the negative form to mean the opposite.
What does it mean to say without mincing words?
simply. very honestly. to be honest. as a matter of fact. to tell you the truth.
Where did the expression mince words come from?
The idiom mince words is based on an archaic definition for the word mince: to make light of something or to deliver criticism gently.
Is it good to mince words?
If you say that someone does not mince their words, you mean that they speak in a forceful and direct way, especially when saying something unpleasant to someone. The doctors didn’t mince their words, and predicted the worst.
Where did mince words originate?
in little pieces,” from Old French mincier “make into small pieces,” from Vulgar Latin *minutiare “make small,” from Late Latin minutiæ “small bits,” from Latin minutus “small” (from PIE root *mei- (2) “small”).
Where does the term mincing come from?
mincing (adj.) “affectedly dainty, simpering,” 1520s, probably originally in reference to speech, when words were “clipped” to affect elegance; or in reference to walking with short steps; present-participle adjective from mince (v.).
Can you not mince words?
If you say that someone does not mince their words, you mean that they speak in a forceful and direct way, especially when saying something unpleasant to someone.
How do you use the word mince in a sentence?
If you say that someone does not mince their words, you mean that they speak in a forceful and direct way, especially when saying something unpleasant to someone. The doctors didn’t mince their words, and predicted the worst. Never one to mince words, Carlie told her daughter that her looks were fading.
Why is it called mincing?
mincing (adj.) “affectedly dainty, simpering,” 1520s, probably originally in reference to speech, when words were “clipped” to affect elegance; or in reference to walking with short steps; present-participle adjective from mince (v.). Related: Mincingly.
What does it mean to say someone is mincing?
Definition of ‘mincing’ 1. affectedly elegant or dainty: of a person or a person’s speech, manner, etc. 2. characterized by short steps or affected daintiness.
What does mincing mean in walking?
mincing adjective (WALK) A mincing walk uses small, delicate steps in a way that does not look natural: She took short, mincing steps. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Moving gently on foot. amble.
How do you mince words?
To speak vaguely or indirectly. Often used in the negative to convey that one speaks bluntly or tactlessly, without regard for someone else’s feelings.
What does the idiom the last word mean?
If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision. She does like to have the last word in any discussion.
Where did the term mincing come from?
How do you use mincing in a sentence?
Mincing sentence example
- Taking mincing steps so that the water wouldn’t slosh out of the buckets, she worked her way toward the barn door.
- The mini is a speedy choice for mincing garlic or small amounts of onions and hot peppers.
What is an example of the last word idiom?
To express the final point or opinion in an argument or discussion, especially in a way that decisively or conclusively ends it. Everyone started shouting, trying to have the last word, and the whole meeting just descended into chaos. David is so smug, making a point to have the last word in every debate.
What does the idiom get the last laugh mean?
Definition of have/get the last laugh : to succeed or win after being laughed at or doubted by others.
What does mincing mean in slang?
Mincing is an adjective that describes someone who is being especially dainty or refined. The voices of older women who speak as though they’re young girls can be described as mincing.
What does the idiom the final word mean?
What does ‘mince words’ mean?
To mince words is to moderate one’s language, to keep within the bounds of what is prudent or polite. Minced words are usually referred to in the negative ‘do not mince your words’. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘To mince words’? It’s easy to imagine that mincing one’s words derives as an allusion to chopping up words to make them more palatable.
What does it mean to mince words?
mince words. To speak vaguely or indirectly. Often used in the negative to convey that one speaks bluntly or tactlessly, without regard for someone else’s feelings. A possessive adjective can be used between “mince” and “words.”
What words can you make with mince?
Definition of MINCE When Unscrambled. If we unscramble these letters,MINCE,it and makes several words.
use “mince” in a sentence The New York Times wrote “Trinny Woodall, one of the upper-crusty and scathingly blunt hosts of What Not to Wear, a hugely popular fashion makeover show on the BBC, does not mincewords.” It is – let’s not minceour words – the theft of someone’s writing, someone’s own words stolen in