If truth be told
Example: If truth be told, I really enjoyed the movie tonight.
Definition
"If truth be told" is an expression used to introduce a statement that reveals a sincere or honest opinion, often one that might be surprising or different from what was expected. It emphasizes that what follows is the genuine truth.
Etymology
The phrase "if truth be told" dates back to Middle English and is a conditional expression combining 'if' with the subjunctive form 'be' to denote a hypothetical truth. It reflects a formal style of speech once common in English, used to preface honest admissions.
Learn to use this expression actively
"If truth be told" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 130 commonly used expressions.
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