Does anyone you know always speak their mind, even if it means being utterly honest? In Italian, you could describe this outspoken person as “without hair on his tongue”: don’t beat around the bush. This idiom can be translated in several ways, including:
- don’t beat around the bush
- don’t beat around the bush
- speak your mind
don’t beat around the bush
Don’t beat around the bush / beat around the bush
Let me give an example. Picture me walking out of a sleepless night with my young son, my hair disheveled and my eyes bleary-eyed. (Yes, this happens a lot!) Someone”outspoken’ might frankly say, “You look terrible!” instead of choosing a more indirect approach such as “Did you stay up late?“
Giovanna doesn’t beat around the bush. He always says what he thinks.
Giovanna doesn’t beat around the bush. She always speaks her mind.
The origin of this idiom stems from the idea that if there is hair on the tongue, it will hinder the flow and clarity of speech. Those without a “hairy tongue” can communicate openly, although skill is not necessarily required!
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