mince
B2Neutral. The culinary sense is neutral. The idiomatic sense (e.g., 'mince words') is more formal/idiomatic.
Definition
Meaning
To cut food, especially meat, into very small pieces.
1. (Verb) To speak or behave in an overly careful, euphemistic, or restrained way, especially to avoid offending someone. 2. (Noun, chiefly British) Finely chopped or ground meat.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core action involves reducing to small bits. The figurative meaning transfers this to softening or 'chopping up' one's words to make them less blunt/direct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'mince' (meaning minced meat) is common in British English, often referring to what Americans call 'ground beef' or just 'hamburger'. In American English, 'mince' is primarily a verb.
Connotations
In British English, 'mince' as a noun is a basic culinary item. In both varieties, the phrase 'not to mince (your) words' carries a strong connotation of directness and frankness.
Frequency
The noun form is significantly more frequent in UK English. The verb and idiom frequencies are comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + object (mince the onion)[Verb] + adverb (mince finely)[Verb] + preposition + speech (He didn't mince in his criticism).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not mince (your) words: to speak directly and frankly, even if it is upsetting.”
- “make mincemeat of: to defeat or criticize someone severely.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The CEO didn't mince words in the memo about the need for immediate cost-cutting."
Academic
Rare, except in figurative use: "The critic minced no words in her review of the flawed methodology."
Everyday
"Could you mince that clove of garlic for the sauce?" (Culinary). "Don't mince your words, just tell me what you think." (Idiomatic).
Technical
Used in food science/culinary contexts to describe a specific size reduction technique.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Mince the steak finely for the cottage pie.
- She never minces her words in meetings.
American English
- The recipe says to mince two jalapeños.
- The coach didn't mince words after the loss.
adverb
British English
- He walked mincingly across the stage. (Rare, derived from adjective)
American English
- She answered mincingly, afraid to give offense. (Rare, derived from adjective)
adjective
British English
- He has a rather mincing walk. (affected, dainty)
- She spoke in a mincing tone.
American English
- He was criticized for his mincing mannerisms.
- Her mincing speech failed to impress the panel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The chef will mince the carrots.
- We need minced meat for the sauce.
- First, peel and finely mince a small onion.
- My grandmother buys mince to make spaghetti bolognese.
- He's famous for not mincing his words, even with senior management.
- You'll need to mince the herbs very finely for this garnish.
- The journalist's incisive article minced no words in its condemnation of the policy, making mincemeat of the official arguments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MINT being chopped into tiny S pieces = MINC-S. You can't make a mint sauce without mincing the mint.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRANK SPEECH IS SOLID/WHOLE; EVASIVE SPEECH IS CHOPPED/FRAGMENTED. (Not mincing words = giving the whole, solid truth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мята' (mint).
- The noun 'mince' (UK) is 'фарш' (minced meat), not a direct translation of the verb.
- The idiom 'not mince words' translates to 'не стесняться в выражениях' or 'резать правду-матку', not a literal phrase with 'слово'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He minced his words to avoid hurting her.' (This means the opposite! 'Didn't mince' = was direct).
- Confusing 'mince' (verb) with 'mince' (UK noun) in translation: 'I bought mince' (UK) vs. 'I bought ground beef' (US).
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'not to mince your words' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core meaning is culinary, its most common figurative use is in the idiom 'not mince words,' meaning to speak bluntly.
'Chop' is general. 'Dice' means to cut into small cubes. 'Mince' means to cut into the smallest possible pieces, finer than diced.
It's very rare. Americans say 'ground beef', 'hamburger meat', or specific terms like 'sausage meat'. 'Mincemeat' (for pies) is an exception but refers to a sweet, spiced mixture.
It can be, as it is often used to describe (and often mock) an overly delicate, affected, or effeminate way of walking or speaking. Context is crucial.