in no uncertain terms

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English

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Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

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in no uncertain terms

  1. (idiomatic, of a statement, especially a threat or admonishment) Definitely, clearly; bluntly, forthrightly; explicitly, categorically, unequivocally.
    • 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.
    • 1991 December 1, Dawn Schmitz, quoting Reggie Williams, “African American AIDS Money Cut”, in Gay Community News, volume 19, number 20, page 2:
      We think it's time the people whose lives are being affected by callous indifference and malignant neglect let elected representatives and government agencies know their concerns in no uncertain terms.
    • 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

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See also

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