blunt discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blunt discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation or dialogue that is straightforward, direct, and possibly lacking in tact or sensitivity. Example: "During the meeting, we had a blunt discussion about the project's shortcomings that left no room for misinterpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

De Blasio's blunt discussion of wealth has resonated with many voters here, especially African-Americans and disenchanted liberal whites.

Independent

It arrives during her blunt discussion of what best might be called the "paper versus water" debate.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, he offered a blunt discussion of how he learned during his year and a half in Washington how complicated and politically nasty immigration issues have become.

The New York Times

The fleeting reminder of the debate at home was followed by a blunt discussion of the larger aims of the American involvement here.

The New York Times

The meeting was both a blunt discussion of Mr. Paterson's failings as a leader and an outpouring of sympathy for the difficult reality the governor and his family now face.

The New York Times

They are petrified of Boris Johnson coming along and challenging them for the leadership.'" "In the summer of 2012, Nick Clegg and David Cameron had a blunt discussion over boundary changes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Obama does not avoid blunt discussions about race.

The New Yorker

7. (S) Dai said that he had had frank and blunt discussions with DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Suk-ju that totaled over two and one half hours.

The Guardian

In another meeting between James Steinberg, US deputy secretary of state, and Chinese officials in 2009, high-ranking state councillor Dai Bingguo reported "frank and blunt" discussions with North Korea about the need to return to the six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

The Guardian

The G.O.P.'s conspiratorial compulsion — the promise to its base that more hearings on Benghazi will expose lies, plots, and Huma Abedin-directed schemes — has blunted any real discussion about what Benghazi might teach us about American interventions.

The New Yorker

But Rhodes said the "blunt" and "direct" discussions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are a result of a deeper engagement that looks beyond what had previously defined the relationship – oil.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blunt discussion", be mindful of your audience and the context. While directness can be valuable, ensure your approach doesn't come across as disrespectful or insensitive. Consider framing your points constructively to mitigate potential negative reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "blunt discussion" in situations where diplomacy and tact are essential. Overusing this phrase can make your communication style appear abrasive, which may damage relationships and hinder effective collaboration. Assess whether a more nuanced approach might be more beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blunt discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of conversation characterized by directness and a lack of subtlety, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blunt discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, indicating a direct and straightforward conversation. As per Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is acceptable, remember that you need to use it thoughtfully, considering your audience and the potential impact of your directness. Alternatives such as "frank exchange" or "candid conversation" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Overall, "blunt discussion" is a valuable term for describing honest and forthright communication, but it should be employed with awareness of its potential to be perceived as insensitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frank exchange

Replaces "discussion" with "exchange", emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the conversation and implying openness and honesty.

candid conversation

Substitutes "blunt" with "candid", highlighting honesty and sincerity, while "conversation" replaces "discussion" for a more casual tone.

direct dialogue

Uses "direct" to underscore the straightforwardness of the exchange and replaces "discussion" with "dialogue", which suggests a more structured conversation.

forthright discourse

Employs "forthright" to emphasize honesty and directness, while "discourse" suggests a more formal and structured discussion.

unvarnished assessment

Moves away from discussion to focus on evaluation, using "unvarnished" to stress the lack of embellishment or softening of the assessment.

honest appraisal

Similar to "unvarnished assessment", this focuses on evaluation, emphasizing the honesty and lack of bias in the appraisal.

straightforward talk

Replaces "discussion" with "talk" for a more informal feel and uses "straightforward" to highlight clarity and directness.

no-holds-barred conversation

This idiom indicates a discussion without restrictions or limitations, implying a willingness to address any topic, no matter how sensitive.

unflinching debate

Shifts the focus to a debate, using "unflinching" to suggest a resolute and unwavering approach to the discussion, even in the face of disagreement.

plainspoken exchange

Highlights simplicity and clarity in communication, using "plainspoken" to emphasize the lack of ambiguity or pretension in the exchange.

FAQs

How can I use "blunt discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "blunt discussion" to describe a conversation characterized by directness and lack of subtlety. For example: "The manager initiated a "blunt discussion" with the team regarding the project's failures."

What are some alternatives to "blunt discussion"?

Alternatives include "frank exchange", "candid conversation", or "direct dialogue", depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

When is it appropriate to have a "blunt discussion"?

A "blunt discussion" is appropriate when clarity and directness are prioritized over politeness, such as when addressing critical issues or making difficult decisions. However, it should be approached with caution and sensitivity to the feelings of others.

What's the difference between a "blunt discussion" and a "difficult conversation"?

While both involve challenging topics, a "blunt discussion" focuses on directness and lack of mincing words, whereas a "difficult conversation" emphasizes the emotional challenge and potential discomfort involved, regardless of the directness of the communication. A "difficult conversation" isn't necessarily blunt, and a "blunt discussion" isn't always emotionally difficult.