忌憚(きたん)のない

忌憚(きたん) means "reserve" or "restraint" (from 忌(き) — to avoid + 憚(たん) — to hesitate). Adding のない negates it: "without reserve." The word 忌憚(きたん) almost never appears outside this expression.

Usage

A formal, set expression used mainly in business and official contexts when inviting honest feedback. Typically used by someone in a senior position asking subordinates or participants to speak freely. The phrase signals that criticism is welcome and will not cause offense.

Common collocations

• 忌憚(きたん)のない意見(いけん) — frank opinion
• 忌憚(きたん)のないご意見(いけん) — frank opinion (polite)
• 忌憚(きたん)のない議論(ぎろん) — unreserved discussion
• 忌憚(きたん)なく述(の)べる — to state without reserve

Similar words

• 率直(そっちょく)な — straightforward, direct (more common in everyday speech)
• 遠慮(えんりょ)なく — without holding back (less formal; 遠慮(えんりょ)なくどうぞ — please don't hold back)
• 歯(は)に衣(きぬ)着(き)せない — not mincing words (stronger; implies bluntness)