make no bones about
/ˌmeɪk noʊ ˈboʊnz əˌbaʊt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.31 in modern English
26
Scrabble Score
16
Letters
1
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To do, indicate, or say something clearly and without hesitation, even if it may be unpleasant.
Example Sentences
- "[B]earyng hymſelfe [Abraham] bolde vpon goddes promyſſe, he made no manner bones ne ſtickyng, but wente in hande to offer vp his onely ſonne Iſaac in ſacrifyce, […]"
- "Therefore if any man alledge Gods power ageinſt thẽ [them], they bruſt through it boldly, & asfor mans hand, they make no bones at it, & ſo their great talking tung ſtinteth for no ſtoppes, but walketh ouer all the whole earth."
- "He (to beguile the ſimple) makes no bone / To ſvvear by God (for he beleeues ther's none); / His Svvord's his Title; and vvho ſcapes the ſame, / Shall haue a Piſtol, or a Poyſonie dram: […]"
- "Tom Faggus was a jovial soul, if ever there has been one, not making bones of little things, nor caring to seek evil. There was about him such a love of genuine human nature, that if a traveller said a good thing, he would give him back his purse again."
- "Never ſpoke to him but once, in all my born life, upon electioneering matter—that's a time vvhen moſt of your proud folks make no bones of tippling vvith a tallovv-chandler, in his back room, on a melting day: […]"
- "What's to prevent him from putting you or anybody else into his place if he likes? Do you think that the Government or the Opposition would make any bones about accepting the seat if he offered it to them?"
Etymology
A reference to complaining about finding animal bones in food; compare find no bones in (“(obsolete) to experience no hindrances or obstacles; to do something without hesitation”) and have a bone to pick.
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌmeɪk noʊ ˈboʊnz əˌbaʊt/
- British English: /ˌmeɪk nəʊ ˈbəʊnz əˌbaʊt/