My question is about the expression "身もふたもないこと".

I know that "身もふたもない" means blunt or point-blank, but is there any additional
connotation such as "stupid" or "silly"?
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2021-05-31T11:25:20.413
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meaning translation etymology syntax expressions
Connotations of 身もふたもないこと
"Blunt" is one of the possible translations of 身も蓋もない, but it is more nuanced
than that. This is a set phrase that carries the meaning like "it's indeed
correct, but if you say that, it spoils the meaning of this discussion", "it's
too outspoken and it makes it hard to continue this conversation", "true, but
don't go there now", etc. It never simply means "silly" or "stupid".

Examples of 身も蓋もない responses:

  * 「どうやったらアイドルになれますか？」「10歳若くないと無理です、諦めてください。」
  * 「どうすればこの商品はもっと魅力的になるだろう？」「有名人が宣伝すればどんな商品でも売れますよ。」
  * 「彼のような努力家がどうして合格できないんだろう。」「そもそも才能がないからでしょ。」
  * 「彼女が宝くじを当てた秘訣を知りたい。」「単純に運が良かったんでしょ。」

As you can see in the second and fourth examples, a 身も蓋もない statement itself
does not have to be about a bad thing. The important connotation is "Oh don't
say that now (even if it's correct)".
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answer