not to put too fine a point on it

== English == === Etymology === A reference to the fact that the speaker is about to say something blunt rather than fine (that is, delicate or subtle). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /nɒt tʊ ˌpʊt tuː ˌfaɪn ə ˈpɔɪnt ɒn ɪt/ (General American) IPA(key): /nɑt tə ˌpʊt tu ˌfaɪn ə ˈpɔɪnt ɑn ət/ === Phrase === not to put too fine a point on it (idiomatic) Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== in all honesty to be honest to speak frankly, frankly speaking to tell the truth pardon my French, excuse my French pardon my German ==== Further reading ==== “not to put too fine a point on it”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. “not to put too fine a point on it”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “not to put too fine a point on it”, in Collins English Dictionary. “not to put too fine a point on it” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. “not to put too fine a point on it” (US) / “not to put too fine a point on it” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.