be honest with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be honest with me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to speak truthfully or openly about their thoughts or feelings. Example: "I need you to be honest with me about how you feel regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Be honest with me".

The New Yorker

I want you to be honest with me.

The New York Times

"You have to be honest with me," he said.

The New Yorker

Be honest with me for a few moments.

The Guardian

I'm so glad we have the kind of relationship where you can be honest with me.

The New Yorker

Be honest with me now, did you really think I would replace one of our most celebrated award-winning columnists with the sister of our future monarch's wife?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The man's always been honest with me".

The New York Times - Sports

"Other agents and owners were honest with me.

The New York Times

"Bobby Valentine was honest with me," Mora said last night.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was lucky – they were honest with me," said Paul of the running shop he visited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She could have been honest with me but the whole time she has lied," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "be honest with me", ensure the context is safe and non-judgmental to encourage openness.

Common error

Avoid using "be honest with me" as an invitation for hurtful or unnecessarily critical feedback. Honesty should be constructive and considerate, not a license to be unkind.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be honest with me" functions as an imperative, directly requesting the listener to speak truthfully. Ludwig shows it is commonly used in contexts where sincerity and transparency are desired. It's often employed to elicit a genuine response or to clarify a situation where doubt exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be honest with me" is a direct request for truthfulness, typically used in situations where the speaker seeks clarity or reassurance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure the environment encourages openness and honesty, avoiding the misinterpretation of honesty as a license for cruelty. Consider alternatives like "tell me the truth" or "level with me" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be truthful with me

Synonymous, placing emphasis on adhering to the truth.

tell me the truth

Focuses specifically on truth-telling, omitting the aspect of general honesty.

give it to me straight

Emphasizes directness and bluntness in communication.

level with me

Suggests a desire for openness and sincerity in the conversation.

be upfront with me

Highlights the importance of transparency and candor.

speak frankly to me

Directs the speaker to communicate in a direct and unambiguous manner.

open up to me

Asks for vulnerability and emotional honesty.

don't lie to me

Directly addresses the avoidance of falsehoods.

disclose everything to me

Requests full disclosure, encompassing more than just honesty.

lay it all on me

Suggests sharing all relevant information without reservation.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to "be honest with me" without sounding accusatory?

You can soften the request by framing it within your own need for clarity. For example, say "I'm trying to understand, can you "be honest with me"?" or "Help me see things clearly; "be honest with me"."

What's a more formal alternative to "be honest with me"?

In a formal context, you might say "I request your candid opinion" or "I would appreciate your frank assessment". These phrases convey the need for truthfulness without the directness of ""be honest with me"".

When is it inappropriate to ask someone to "be honest with me"?

It can be inappropriate if the situation is highly sensitive, and the other person might feel pressured to reveal something they're not ready to share. Consider whether they have a safe space to express themselves freely before asking them to ""be honest with me"".

What should I do if someone is honest with me, but I don't like what they say?

Even if the truth is difficult to hear, acknowledge their honesty and try to understand their perspective. Responding defensively might discourage them from being honest in the future. Remember, they are "being honest with me".