truth to tell

Speaking sincerely or truthfully; in all honesty. Truth to tell, even though I majored in English literature, I've never read anything by Hemingway! A: "Sorry for canceling on you like that." B: "That's OK. Truth to tell, I would rather just stay home and watch a movie tonight anyway."

truth to tell

Speaking frankly and honestly. This phrase is another version of to tell the truth and dates from the mid-1300s. Both phrases are used to emphasize a statement, such as “Truth to tell, I hated the play.” See also if truth be told.

See also: tell, to, truth

See also:

References in classic literature

And, truth to tell, they needed collecting and setting in order not a little.

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She must give up something, and truth to tell she possessed little to give, hardly anything but--yes, that would do, the beloved pink parasol.

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He is related to one of my partners; but I am bound in truth to tell you that he is a very bad man.

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"He's been away since yesterday mornin', sir, and, truth to tell, I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him.

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I could not quarrel with this silent inspection very well, because, truth to tell, I felt somewhat guilty of having been sprung on him with some abruptness--of having "sprung from the ground," as he expressed it.

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But truth to tell, kung araw-araw na lang pati every table dito sa Pilipinas ganoon, hindi ko talaga mahabol,' Duterte said.

Duterte asks public to 'find another Marcos'

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