tell you the truth

== English == === Pronunciation === === Phrase === tell you the truth (idiomatic, informal) Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to you tell the truth". ==== Usage notes ==== Used bracketed by punctuation, especially commas, dashes, or parentheses. More intimate than tell the truth. ==== Synonyms ==== (used to assert frank honesty of statement): frankly, honestly, tell the truth ==== Related terms ==== tell the truth