拐弯抹角

guǎi wān mò jiǎo

to talk in a roundabout way

Character by character

拐guǎi
turn

弯wān
bends

抹mò
skirt

角jiǎo
corners

有话直说，别拐弯抹角。

If you've got something to say, say it; don't beat around the bush.

Tone: negative (criticism).

抹 is mò, 'to skirt around'; usually 别拐弯抹角 or 说话拐弯抹角.

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