To Mince Words

To Mince Words

Welcome to English in a Minute.

To “mince” means to cut into very small pieces.

You probably mince garlic or onions when you cook.

Hey Anna! Come look at this , I just started a painting class.

Wow, Jonathan!

That is a lot of… colors!

Do you like it?

Well, it’s a start.

Don’t mince your words. I can take it.

Well, Jonathan to be truthful…

It’s kind of hard to look at!

If you “mince your words,” you do not speak in a direct or honest way, because you want to avoid offending someone.

You will usually hear this phrase in negative form.

If someone tells you “Don’t mince your words” they want to know the truth, even if it is difficult to hear.

And that’s English in a Minute!