mincing words
Softening harsh truths
Mincing words means speaking evasively or with excessive delicacy, softening language to avoid giving offense or stating something plainly.
Almost always appears in the negative: She doesn't mince words means she speaks bluntly and directly.
Let me not mince words: you're fired.
Someone who minces words is being overly cautious or diplomatic when directness would serve better.
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- face-savingProtecting one's dignity
- sugarcoatingMaking unpleasant seem pleasant
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
soft pedaling · euphemism · taking the edge off · conflict avoidance · walking on eggshells · ambiguity · diplomacy · tactfulness · discretion · politeness · beating around the bush · dancing around it · passive voice · softening · indirectness · understatement · tiptoeing · doublespeak
- indirectnesscircumlocution, euphemism, hedging, hint, hinting
mincing wordsstraight talk
Honest, direct communication
telling it like it is · calling a spade a spade · cutting to the chase · speaking frankly · speaking one's mind
mincing wordsletting loose
Removing restraints or inhibitions
speaking freely · unloading · venting · going off · erupting