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To be honest

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

5 August 2026

To be honest

We use this expression to introduce our real opinion about something - often when this is negative.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: Yes

Informal: Yes

Example 1

How's your new job?

To be honest, I'm finding it quite difficult at the moment.

I expect you'll settle in soon enough.

Example 2

What did you think of the concert?

I couldn't really enjoy it, to be honest. I'm not feeling 100%

Oh, dear. You should go home and go to bed, then.

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Apr2026
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