Sir John, never a man to mince his words, said in a TV interview that the government had lied. 约翰爵士是个直言不讳的人,他在一次电视采访中说政府欺骗了民众.

这里的"not mince one's words"就是"直言不讳,说话不隐晦"的意思.

To say something in a direct way even though it might offend other people.

mince原意是"切碎、剁碎或绞碎".试想,一句很刺耳的话若被拆细了一点一点地说,其力度肯定会大大减轻,由此,"to mince words"引申指"讲话不直接".看到这儿,不知您会不会想到"美国偶像"评委Simon Cowell,素有"恶魔"之称的他言语犀利,点评时绝不绕弯子,而是"to mince no words"(一语破的、直言不讳).

I won't mince words: I think it's a stupid idea. 我实话实说,这是个愚蠢的主意.