to tell (you) the truth
idiom
—used to say that one is being honest and admitting something
To tell the truth, I liked her first book better,
To tell you the truth, I don't remember when I saw her last.
Cite this Entry
“To tell (you) the truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20tell%20%28you%29%20the%20truth. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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