(if the) truth be known
(if the) truth be known
I must admit; to be honest; in actuality. Truth be known, 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 if the truth be known, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.
See also: known, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
if (the) ˌtruth be ˈknown/ˈtold
used to tell somebody the true facts about a situation, especially when these are not known by other people: None of the students really liked the new teacher. In fact, if the truth be told, everyone was rather afraid of him.See also: if, known, told, truth
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- if truth be known/told
- (if the) truth be told
- to tell the truth
- tell you the truth
- the honest truth
- God's honest truth
- honest to a fault
- make an honest buck
- earn an honest buck
- an honest buck