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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Make no bones about

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

State or show your views openly, without trying to hide them.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. Leah made no bones about wanting a quieter office.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

State or show your views openly, without trying to hide them.
Show the answer

Make no bones about — State or show your views openly, without trying to hide them.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Make no bones about” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

State or show your views openly, without trying to hide them.

Compare: Leah made no bones about wanting a quieter office.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this conversational expression when someone is direct about a feeling, opinion or fact. It can suggest confidence or bluntness.

More examples in context

  • He makes no bones about his dislike of early meetings.
  • We made no bones about the fact that the deadline was unrealistic.

Usage note

Follow “about” with a noun, an -ing form or “the fact that” plus a clause. The phrase describes openness, rather than agreeing with what is said.

A short conversation

A: Did the team seem happy with the new timetable?
B: No. They made no bones about their concerns.
A: Then we should discuss those concerns properly.

One more practice question

Someone makes no bones about disliking a plan. How do they communicate?

A. They hide their dislike completely.
B. They express their dislike openly.

Check your answer

B. The expression means the person does not conceal their view.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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