Point blank

Meaning

The idiom "point blank" means to ask a question directly, without any hesitation or indirectness. It is used to describe someone who is being asked a question and responds quickly and honestly.

Usage

• The journalist asked the interviewee point-blank about the allegations of corruption.
• In our final meeting, I gave my team point-blank feedback on their performance.
• I was point-blank shocked when I heard the news about the accident.
• My daughter asked me point-blank if she could stay out late tonight.
• The detective questioned the suspect point-blank and gave him no chance to explain his actions.

Roots and History

The idiom "point blank" can be traced back to the 17th century in England. It originally referred to a game or contest where two players would face each other, with one player holding a target at point-blank range and the other trying to hit it with an arrow. The phrase gradually evolved to describe someone who is being asked a question directly and responds without any hesitation or indirectness.

Synonyms in English

• Directly
• Honestly
• Bluntly
• Straightforwardly
• Unambiguously

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "directamente" (directly)
• French: "franchement" (honestly)
• German: "direkt" (bluntly)
• Italian: "diretto" (straightforwardly)
• Portuguese: "direto" (unambiguously)

Similar Idioms

• so and so

• plain as day

• pay lip service