ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tell it like it is

idiom
Meaning

To speak frankly, to convey all and only the truth of a situation.


Examples
SIMPLE

My boss always tells it like it is.

CONTEXTUAL

She is a good leader because she tells it like it is, even when the news is bad.

COMPLEX

Although his blunt honesty often offended his colleagues, he refused to change his ways and continued to tell it like it is during every board meeting.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little bird told me

    I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.

  2. 02

    all told

    With everything included, counted, or summed; in total.

  3. 03

    and the like

    And other similar items; et cetera.

  4. 04

    be like

    To say.

  5. 05

    built like a brick outhouse

    Synonym of built like a brick shithouse.

  6. 06

    built like a brick shipyard

    Synonym of built like a brick shithouse.

  7. 07

    built like a brick shithouse

    Of a man, having a muscular body, particularly with well-developed muscles of the chest, arms and abdominals.

  8. 08

    do someone like that

    to treat someone in a negative manner

Last updated April 17, 2026