be honest
/biː ˈɒnɪst/To tell the truth or express genuine thoughts without deception.
Be honest with me—did you break the vase?
This means asking someone to truthfully admit to an action.
She was honest about her mistakes in the meeting.
This shows someone acknowledging their errors openly.
This phrase is commonly used to encourage truthfulness in personal or professional settings.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Encouraging Honesty
Use 'be honest' to gently prompt someone to share the truth, especially in sensitive conversations.
⚡Gold Rule
Directness
This phrase is direct and can be used in both casual and formal contexts, but tone matters—soften it with 'please' if needed.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'honest' (meaning 'virtuous, honorable'), combined with the verb 'be' to form an imperative phrase.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is often used to encourage someone to speak truthfully, especially in situations where honesty is important.