из песни слова не выкинешь

• ИЗ ПЕСНИ СЛОВА НЕ ВЫКИНЕШЬ{{}}

[saying]

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⇒ you should tell the whole (oftentimes unpleasant) truth without leaving out any part that makes you feel ashamed, may offend the listener(s) etc:

- ≈ there is no escaping (avoiding, getting around) the truth;

- there is no getting away from it;

- there is no escaping (avoiding) it;

- you have to tell it like it is;

- the whole truth must be told.

     ♦ Впоследствии, перечитав вещь, он ужаснется ее местечковой сентиментальности, многословию и профессиональному убожеству, но из песни слова не выкинешь, именно ей дано было сыграть решающую в его судьбе роль... (Максимов 2). On re-reading it much later he was to be appalled by its smal 1-town sentimentality, its prolixity and literary mediocrity, but there is no getting away from it - this particular book was to play a decisive role in his destiny.. (2a).