丑话说在前头

丑话说在前头

Literally means:

say the unpleasant words first

Actually means:

warn sb of the possible but undesirable consequence

ChouHua means the truth that sounds unpleasant to ears but closely concerns the interest of the listener.

The whole phrase means to pre-state what can possibly happen as undesirable consequence to those concerned. It connotes that the listener should not complain whatever the result will turn out to be.

丑话指听起来不舒服，却是跟听话人的利益密切相关的实话。

丑话说在前头，指把事情可能出现的不利情况或后果先讲清楚。含有提醒听话人不管发生什么后果都不应埋怨的意思。