blunt talk
Speaking without cushioning
Blunt talk is direct, unvarnished speech that doesn't soften harsh truths or avoid uncomfortable topics: I appreciate blunt talk—just tell me if my idea won't work.
The phrase often signals that diplomacy is being set aside in favor of honesty, sometimes as a warning: Let me give you some blunt talk about your chances.
- candidHonest and direct
- frankOpen and direct
- directUndeviating or to guide
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- honestFree from deception
straightforward · plainspoken · unfiltered · brutal · brutal honesty · raw · hard truths · cutting · sharp · no holds barred · tactless · rude · no-nonsense · crude · outspoken · gruff · abrupt · curt
- candorfrankness, directness, candor, straightforwardness, openness
blunt talkcircumlocution
Indirect, wordy expression
beating around the bush · indirect speech · hedging · euphemism · coded language
blunt talkdiplomacy
Negotiation between nations
kid gloves · smooth talk · diplomatic language · tactfulness · soft-pedaling
blunt talkobfuscation
Deliberate concealment through confusion
doublespeak · weasel words · equivocation · evasion · vagueness
blunt, talk, bluntly, bluntness, blunted, blunting, blunts, talks, talked