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non avere peli sulla lingua

/non ˈaːvere ˈpeli ˈsul la ˈliŋɡwa/◆idiom
to speak bluntly

Marco non ha peli sulla lingua e dice sempre quello che pensa.

Marco speaks bluntly and always says what he thinks.


◆ What It Really Means
To speak frankly and directly without hesitation.
¶ Literal Meaning
To not have hairs on one's tongue.
Literal Breakdown
non averenot to have+pelihairs+sulla linguaon the tongue
◇ Mental Image
The image of having no hairs on the tongue suggests smooth, unobstructed speech, implying someone who speaks without filtering their words.
◈ When to Use
Imagine a person at a family dinner who openly criticizes a dish prepared by a relative, saying it tastes bad. This would be an example of someone who 'non ha peli sulla lingua.'
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Italian cultural value of directness in communication, where honesty is often prioritized over tact.
informal

To speak frankly and directly without hesitation or concern for others' feelings.

Non avere peli sulla lingua è una qualità, ma a volte può ferire.

Speaking bluntly is a quality, but sometimes it can hurt.

La nonna non ha peli sulla lingua e critica tutto quello che non le piace.

Grandma speaks bluntly and criticizes everything she doesn’t like.

Often used to describe someone who is honest to the point of bluntness.

Collocations

non avere peli sulla linguato speak bluntly

Synonyms

dire pane al pane e vino al vinoavere la lingua taglientenon avere filtri

Antonyms

essere diplomaticoavere la lingua lunga

Related Phrases

avere la lingua taglienteidiom
to have a sharp tongue
dire pane al pane e vino al vinoidiom
to call a spade a spade

Pro Tip

When to use

Use this idiom to describe someone who is honest but may come across as rude or insensitive. It’s often used in casual conversations.

Gold Rule

Avoid in formal settings

This idiom is informal and may not be appropriate in professional or formal contexts.

Usage Notes

This idiom is common in everyday speech and can be used in both positive and negative contexts. It emphasizes honesty but may imply insensitivity.

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese

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