honest
Telling the truth
Saying what is true and not lying or cheating.
[someone] is honest about [something]
- She is an honest person who never lies.
- Please give me an honest answer to my question.
- He was honest about his past mistakes.
- I appreciate your honest feedback.
- The politician promised to be open and honest with the public.
- She is an honest girl.
- I want an honest answer.
- He is honest about his work.
- We need an honest friend.
- She gave an honest opinion.
Morally good and fair
Doing the right thing and treating people fairly.
an honest [job/living/work]
- He earns an honest living as a carpenter.
- They are known as honest traders in the market.
- She has always been an honest judge, treating everyone equally.
- He built his fortune through honest work.
- An honest politician is rare these days.
- He makes an honest living.
- She does honest work.
- They are honest people.
- He is an honest worker.
- We like honest business.
Simple and genuine
Plain and true, not trying to trick or impress people.
an honest [mistake/effort]
- It was an honest mistake; she didn't mean to break the vase.
- I made an honest effort to finish on time.
- That's my honest opinion, without exaggeration.
- He gave an honest description of the event.
- It was an honest attempt, though it failed.
- It was an honest mistake.
- I made an honest effort.
- That is my honest opinion.
- She gave an honest answer.
- He made an honest try.
- Base: honest
honest to God
1Strongly swear something is true
Used to say you are telling the truth very seriously.
- Honest to God, I didn't know about it.
- Honest to God, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard.
make an honest living
1Earn money fairly through work
To get money from work that is legal and fair.
- He makes an honest living as a mechanic.
- She moved to the city to make an honest living.
honest broker
1Trusted neutral mediator
A person who helps two sides agree by being fair and trusted.
- The UN acted as an honest broker in the peace talks.
- We need an honest broker to settle this dispute.
- We need an honest broker to resolve this dispute.
to be honest
1Introducing a truthful statement
Used before saying what you really think or feel.
- To be honest, I don't like this movie much.
- To be honest, I was surprised by the result.
to be honest
1said to be frank
Use this to say your true opinion.
- To be honest, I don’t really like this movie.
- I’m tired, to be honest.
- To be honest, I forgot about the meeting.
to be honest
2introducing a frank statement
used before you say something that is true, especially if it may be surprising, very direct, or not polite.
- To be honest, I don't really like this restaurant.
- It wasn't a great game, to be honest.
- To be honest, I was scared when the plane started to shake.
to be honest
3introducing a truthful statement
Used before saying something that is true, even if it may be surprising or not what someone wants to hear.
- To be honest, I didn’t enjoy the party.
- I was a bit nervous, to be honest.