
Not to put too fine a point on it
Directness
The phrase is used to be blunt and doesn't beat around the bush, meaning the speaker gets straight to the point.

Not to put too fine a point on it, your work has been unsatisfactory.
Softening Blow
Despite its directness, it often signals that the speaker wants to soften the impact of a critical statement that follows.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but your argument is flawed at its core.
Colloquial Use
It's a conversational phrase, used more in spoken English or casual writing, not in formal texts.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but we're in a bit of a mess here.
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