Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase:
Not to mince matters

A. To speak out frankly
B. To make matters easy
C. To be at ease
D. To be successful in business

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we need to look for the idiom/phrase which defines the correct meaning of the given idiom. Let’s first understand what does idiom means – Idioms may be defined as expressions peculiar to a language or present in a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase.

Complete answer:
The idiom ‘not to mince matters’ means: To speak bluntly and directly without any regard to whether one’s words may hurt someone.

Now let’s examine and understand the given option above.
> To make matters easy: It means to explain, define and clarify to understand. This phrase doesn’t define the correct meaning of the given question so it is inappropriate.
>To be at ease: It means to feel comfortable, relaxed, especially in a situation. This phrase doesn’t define the correct meaning of the given question so it is inappropriate.
> To be successful in business: It means defining success with honesty and integrity. This phrase doesn’t define the correct meaning of the given question so it is inappropriate.
> To speak out frankly: Here the phrase ‘to speak out frankly’ defines the same meaning “To speak bluntly and directly without any regard to weather one’s words may hurt someone”. So it is a related and appropriate answer for the given question, so the suitable synonym will be option [A] To speak out frankly.

Note: For choosing the correct option you should know the actual meaning of the given question because an idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a meaning which in most cases cannot be deduced directly from the individual words or phrases.