Ne pas mâcher ses mots
Example: Il ne mâche pas ses mots quand il critique le gouvernement.
Definition
"Ne pas mâcher ses mots" means to speak very clearly and directly, without softening or hiding the truth. It describes someone who expresses their opinions or criticisms openly and frankly, as in the example where a person criticizes the government without hesitation.
Etymology
The phrase "ne pas mâcher ses mots" literally translates as 'not to chew one's words.' It comes from the idea of 'chewing' words to make them easier to swallow, so not chewing them means speaking bluntly and plainly. The expression vividly captures the act of speaking straightforwardly without sugarcoating.
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"Ne pas mâcher ses mots" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To not mince words