To be precise
Example: He arrived at six o'clock, to be precise.
Definition
"To be precise" is a phrase used to indicate that the speaker is providing an exact or specific detail, often to clarify or correct a previous statement. It emphasizes accuracy in information, as in the example: He arrived at six o'clock, to be precise.
Etymology
The phrase "to be precise" originates from the adjective 'precise,' which comes from the Latin 'precisus,' meaning 'cut off' or 'concise.' Over time, it evolved to mean exactness or accuracy. The phrase is commonly used in English to highlight the importance of detail or correctness.
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"To be precise" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 130 commonly used expressions.
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