(if the) truth be told

(if the) truth be told

I must admit; to be honest; in actuality. Truth be told, 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 told, I'd rather just stay home and watch a movie.
See also: told, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • (if the) truth be known
  • if truth be known/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