The phrase "make bones about" means to have no hesitation in expressing an opinion or taking action. It is spelled as /meɪk boʊnz əˈbaʊt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The pronunciation of "make" is /meɪk/, while "bones" is pronounced as /boʊnz/. The word "about" is pronounced as /əˈbaʊt/. This phrase has been in use since the 15th century and its origin is believed to be related to butchering meat, where bones were removed or made into broth without any hesitation or delay.
The phrase "make bones about" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the English language. The term is used to describe someone who makes no effort to conceal their objections, reservations, or criticisms about a particular situation or topic. When someone "makes no bones about" something, they do not hesitate to express their disapproval, discontent, or disagreement openly and without reservation.
It is believed that the phrase "make bones about" may have derived from an ancient superstition related to animal bones. In olden times, people would consult animal bones for divination purposes. If the bones were broken or damaged in any way, it was considered a sign of misfortune or something to be cautious about. Thus, making bones was associated with a negative connotation, indicating a refusal or apprehension.
In a contemporary context, this saying is commonly used to imply that someone is being frank, straightforward, or honest about their opinions or concerns. It suggests that the person is not trying to hide or sugarcoat their true feelings or objections, but rather presenting them openly and without hesitation. Thus, when a person "makes no bones about" something, they are forthrightly expressing their criticism, discontent, or pessimism without any reservations.