Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
not to put too fine a point on it. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
not to put too fine a point on it, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
not to put too fine a point on it in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
not to put too fine a point on it you have here. The definition of the word
not to put too fine a point on it will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
not to put too fine a point on it, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
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
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.
1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, “Mr. Bucket”, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, , published 1853, →OCLC, page 217:My little woman is at present in—not to put too fine a point on it—in a pious state, or in what she considers such, and attends the Evening Exertions (which is the name they go by) of a reverend party of the name of Chadband.
1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 16: Eumaeus]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, , →OCLC, part III [Nostos], page 570:En route, to his taciturn, and, not to put too fine a point on it, not yet perfectly sober companion, Mr Bloom, who at all events, was in complete possession of his faculties, never more so, in fact disgustingly sober, spoke a word of caution re the dangers of nighttown, women of ill fame and swell mobsmen, […]
2000, Amy Jenkins, chapter 4, in Honeymoon, London: Hodder & Stoughton, →ISBN; republished as Honeymoon (Flame), London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2001, →ISBN, page 39:You explain slowly and clearly that you are doing him the honour of not beating about the bush […] Well, you will end up – not to put too fine a point on it (you lower your voice) – having sex. And while you are sure that sex would be very nice, the prognosis for a future between the two of you is not good.
Translations
used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement
See also
Further reading