mince words

Verb CEFR B2

ˌmɪns ˈwɜːdz

Definitions

To restrain oneself when speaking by withholding some comments or using euphemisms in order to be polite, tactful, etc.

idiomatic, intransitive

Equivalents

Españolno tener pelos en la lengua

Françaisne pas mâcher ses mots

Deutschsich kein Blatt vor den Mund nehmen

7 more languages

Suomikierrellä

Italianopesare le parole usare mezzi termini

Nederlandszich geen blad voor de mond nemen zonder omhaal van woorden

Polskiowijać w bawełnę

Portuguêsnão ter papas na língua

Русскийговори́ть без обиняко́в говори́ть обиняка́ми

Svenskaskräda orden

Examples

“Near-synonym: pull ⟳ punches”

“For quotations using this term, see ⟳ Citations:mince words.”

CEFR level

B2

Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See all B2 English words →

See also

minced minced one's words minced up minced words minces minces one's words

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