No offense, but...

Meaning

This is a classic conversational hedge used right before you say something that will almost certainly be offensive. It is an attempt to soften the blow, though it rarely works.

Diplomatic, backhanded

Used in a sentence

• No offense, but your idea is going to cost us a lot of money.
• No offense, but you have a bit of spinach in your teeth.
• No offense, but I think the red dress looks much better than the blue one.