(of a shot) fired from very close to its target: [as adjective]: the bullet, fired at point-blank range, hit him in the middle of the back [as adverb]: Waxman fired the pistol point-blank at Clyde
(of a statement or question) direct and without explanation or qualification: [as adverb]: he refuses point-blank to be photographed or give interviews
Origin:
late 16th century: probably from point+ blank in the contemporaneous sense 'white spot in the centre of a target'
