What Does "Not to Put Too Fine a Point on It" Mean?
"Not to put too fine a point on it" is an English idiom. It is used before making a direct or blunt statement.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "not to put too fine a point on it" used in a sentence:- Not to put too fine a point on it, but your performance needs improvement.
- I'll be frank: not to put too fine a point on it, your idea won't work.
- Let me be clear: not to put too fine a point on it, we can't afford to make any mistakes.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Not to Put Too Fine a Point on It" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "not to put too fine a point on it" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?