in no uncertain terms
16
4.2
- idiom
:
sin rodeos
- I told Callahan, in no uncertain terms, he can't push me around anymore.
- in no uncertain terms told
- in no uncertain terms declared
It's a shame, and you showed us that in no uncertain terms.
- It's a shame, and you showed us that in no uncertain terms.
- Top comment on this one and well, he did ask and you let him know in no uncertain terms.
- And that Trump is growing very tired of the competition that Elon presents and has told Elon in no uncertain terms.
Examples
-
But I had told him, and in no uncertain terms, that I was no longer in love with him.
-
"We believe in no uncertain terms that the organizational guidelines have been an unequivocal success," Castillo says.
Academic text (2003) -
But it was, in no uncertain terms, the result of the path that you walked.
-
I know for my part that I was instructed in no uncertain terms to keep quiet about what I knew.
Fiction book (1997) -
I think Hong Kong people will stand up and tell the government in no uncertain terms, enough is enough.
-
We are told in no uncertain terms that American masculinity is what is at stake.
Academic text (2014) -
Bushnell had made his point in no uncertain terms.
Academic text (2010) -
I let the boys in charge know, in no uncertain terms, we’re not changing our route!
-
Mulally has made it known in no uncertain terms that he's not ready to retire.
Blog text (4) -
The teacher explained in no uncertain terms that homework is mandatory for all students.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
In a way that leaves no doubt
146
3.9
A person uses clear, direct words so there is no doubt
68
1.8
In a clear and obvious way that is easy to understand
56
3.9
In a clear way that leaves no doubt
55
3.7
In a direct and firm way without avoiding the issue
45
4.6
In a firm way that shows no doubt
38
5.5
In a strong, definite way that shows no doubt
37
6.9
In a clear way that leaves no doubt
35
6.5
In a clear, certain way without any doubt
13
4.1
In a very clear way that people cannot mistake
9
5.5
Clearly so people understand it in only one way
5
3.9
In a clear, honest way without hiding anything
In a complete and direct way, without any doubt
Antonyms
How Direct
Surface Forms
Morphology
The parts 'no' + 'uncertain' + 'terms' literally yield the idea of 'not using vague words', and the pattern 'in ... terms' can be understood as 'in words/phrasing', so the overall meaning 'stated clearly and directly' is partly recoverable from the constituents. However, the phrase is a fixed idiom and the combination is somewhat formal and conventional, so a B1 learner who knows the words may still find the exact pragmatic sense and fixed ordering non-obvious without prior exposure.
Etymology
In no uncertain terms may come from old official speeches where people paid close attention to the exact terms, the words used. The image is of saying something with no uncertain words, so it means 'clear' and 'direct' with no doubt.