=speak honestly, not beat about the bush, call a spade a spade, wear your heart on your sleeve, not to mince words... It's interesting how this topic seems to spawn metaphors.
I first became aware of this idiom in the context of a regional character in a BBC radio comedy in the '60s - 'I make no bones about it, I'm looking for someone to love.' (It's not very common; it seemed to suit a rustic character with a strong regional accent - in the days when regional accents weren't common on the BBC.)
- For Teachers