ENGLISH
REFERENCE

truth be told

idiom
Meaning

Used when admitting something one might otherwise lie about, e.g. to keep up appearances or be polite.


Origin

disputed origin

Ellipsis of if the truth should be told.

Examples
SIMPLE

Truth be told, I do not like this movie.

CONTEXTUAL

I said I was busy, but truth be told, I just wanted to stay home and rest.

COMPLEX

Truth be told, the project was far more difficult than we anticipated, and we struggled to meet the final deadline.

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

    bend the truth

    To change or leave out certain facts of a story or situation, generally in order to elicit a specific response in the audience.

  4. 04

    economical with the truth

    Not telling the whole truth, especially in order to present a false image of a situation; untruthful; lying. Often used with sarcasm or satire.

  5. 05

    God's honest truth

    Unquestionable, absolute truth.

  6. 06

    grain of truth

    Synonym of kernel of truth.

  7. 07

    kernel of truth

    A core accuracy at the heart of a claim or narrative which also contains dubious or fictitious elements.

  8. 08

    moment of truth

    A deciding instant; the time when a test determines or makes it apparent whether something will succeed.

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