make no bones about
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Have no hesitation in stating or dealing with something, however unpleasant.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Metaphor (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “make no bones about” mean?
Have no hesitation in stating or dealing with something, however unpleasant.
Is “make no bones about” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.