to tell (you) the truth

tell the truth

An exhortation to speak honestly. Come one, tell the truth—you liked Jack when you first met him, didn't you? Tell the truth, Betty—where did all this money come from?

tell you the truth

I must admit; being completely honest. Tell you the truth, even though I majored in English literature, I've never read anything by Hemingway! I know I said I wanted to go out to the bars tonight, but tell you the truth, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.

to tell (you) the truth

I must admit; to be honest; in actuality. To tell you the truth, even though I majored in English literature, I've never read anything by Hemingway! I know I said I wanted to go out to the bars tonight, but to tell the truth, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.

to tell (you) the ˈtruth

used when admitting something: To tell the truth, I fell asleep in the middle of her talk.