| Idiom | Mince Words |
|---|---|
| Example | Please don't mince words. Tell me exactly what you think of my painting. |
| Meaning | to not come right to the point and be honest; to use mild or vague words so as not to offend or hurt someone |
| Origin | William Shakespeare used this expression in some of his plays in the late 1500s, but it might have been in use before that. Originally "mince" meant to soften or lessen the force of certain words in order to be polite. Today, if you mince words or mince matters, you are not being honest and open. |
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