What does it mean to 'mince' words?

To 'mince' words means to soften or lessen the impact of one's statements, often by using euphemisms or more gentle language instead of being direct or blunt. This term suggests a careful and deliberate choice of language to avoid offending or upsetting someone, implying that the speaker is consciously choosing to be more diplomatic.

In contrast, speaking clearly and being direct would involve straightforward communication without any sugarcoating, and being verbose implies an excessive use of words, which does not align with the idea of 'mincing' words. Therefore, the concept of softening the message aligns perfectly with the correct answer, as it encapsulates the essence of the expression.