Make no bones about Meaning in English
expression
ˈmeɪk/ /ˈnoʊ/ /ˈboʊnz/ /əˈbaʊt
MAYK NOH BOHNZ uh-BOWT
mˈeɪk/ /nəʊ/ /bˈəʊnz/ /ɐbˈaʊt
MAYK noh BOHNZ uh-BOWT
Definition
To speak or act very honestly and directly, without trying to hide your feelings or opinions.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom mostly used about stating opinions or facts clearly, even if they are unpopular. Common with 'he/she/I/we/they make no bones about it/that...' and often signals blunt honesty. Not used for polite disagreement or in very formal writing.
Spanish: no andarse con rodeos - hablar sin tapujosPortuguese (BR): não fazer rodeios - falar sem papas na línguaPortuguese (PT): não fazer rodeios - falar sem papas na línguaChinese (Simplified): 直言不讳 - 毫不掩饰Chinese (Traditional): 直言不諱 - 毫不掩飾Hindi: बिना संकोच कहना - साफ़-साफ़ बोलनाArabic: يتحدث بصراحة - لا يخفي شيئًاBengali: খোলামেলা বলা - দ্বিধাহীনভাবে বলাRussian: не скрывать - говорить прямоJapanese: 率直に言う - はっきり言うVietnamese: nói thẳng thắn - nói không che giấuKorean: 솔직하게 말하다 - 숨김없이 말하다Turkish: açıkça söylemek - çekinmeden belirtmekUrdu: بلا جھجھک کہنا - صاف گوئی سے کہناIndonesian: berbicara blak-blakan - berkata terus terang
Example Sentences
She made no bones about her dislike of the food.
basic
I make no bones about wanting a promotion.
basic
He made no bones about his opinion.
basic
Let's make no bones about it—we need to do better next time.
natural
You can make no bones about your feelings with me—just be honest.
natural
They made no bones about the fact that prices would go up.
natural