in no uncertain terms

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Prepositional phrase

in no uncertain terms

1. (idiomatic, of a statement, especially a threat or admonishment) Definitely, clearly; bluntly, forthrightly; explicitly, categorically.
   • 1919, Stewart Edward White, chapter 11, in The Killer:

     The latter held up the lamp where it wouldn't get smashed and admonished them in no uncertain terms that he wanted me alive.

   • 1961 November 3, “Toughening Up”, in Time:

     Kennedy assured West German Ambassador Wilhelm Grewe in no uncertain terms that he does not intend to let West Berlin go down the drain.

   • 2011 January 31, Ben McGrath, “Does football have a future: The NFL and the concussion crisis”, in The New Yorker:

     In no uncertain terms do I believe that we should outlaw or 'wuss down' contact sports!!!

Translations

bluntly

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 清楚而有力的 (qīngchu ér yǒulì de)

• Finnish: täysin selvästi
• Spanish: please add this translation if you can

See also

• in words of one syllable