if truth be told
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 told
To be perfectly honest, to present all the facts of a case. James Patterson used it in his novel, Roses Are Red (2000): “I am a little scared, truth be told.” See also fact of the matter; truth to tell.
See also: if, told, truth
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- get (one's)/the facts straight
- get the facts straight
- tell the truth
- to tell (you) the truth
- the whole (something) thing
- the whole thing
- the... thing
- brass tacks
- facts are stubborn things
- all things to all people