be upfront with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be upfront with me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to be honest or direct about their thoughts or feelings. Example: "I appreciate your honesty, so please be upfront with me about any concerns you have regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I think I would have been ok with it had she been upfront with me; tell the truth.

Huffington Post

"Bosch, I want to be upfront with you," Brenner said.

The New York Times - Magazine

The next witnesses must be upfront with coroner Ian Gray about where those gaps were most acute.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You have to be upfront with people and tell them what the trade-offs are".

The New York Times

The American president, like the one before him, is apparently reluctant to be upfront with the public about war.

The Guardian - Opinion

She called for him to be "upfront" with the community and transparent about what was cut "and explain why".

The Guardian

"But, I will continue to do everything in my power to be upfront with you about the challenges we face".

The New York Times

Finally, please be upfront with your daughter about the role that cost will play as she explores colleges.

The New York Times

Mr. Paulson should be upfront with Americans about the risk and explain that the best way to deal with it is to develop a comprehensive response.

The New York Times

But if his detractors continue to focus on only a few of his thousands of votes, let's at least be upfront with the facts.

The New York Times

Also, borrowers are often reluctant to be upfront with pertinent information needed for negotiations, such as pay stubs and account information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "be upfront with me", ensure the context is clear about the subject you want them to be honest about. This avoids ambiguity and potential misunderstandings.

Common error

While "upfront" implies directness, it doesn't necessitate being rude or insensitive. Frame your request to encourage honesty while maintaining respect and consideration for the other person's feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be upfront with me" functions as an imperative request. It is used to urge someone to communicate honestly and directly, without concealing information or feelings. It is used to establish transparency in a conversation.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be upfront with me" serves as a direct request for honesty and transparency. While Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, it's crucial to consider the context and register when using this phrase. More formal alternatives, such as "be candid with me", might be more appropriate in professional settings, whereas informal options like "give it to me straight" could suit casual conversations. The frequency of the phrase is currently not measurable due to the lack of examples in the database, emphasizing the importance of adapting language to the specific communication setting to achieve the desired level of clarity and respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be honest with me

Replaces "upfront" with the more common and direct term "honest".

Be direct with me

Focuses on the directness of communication, omitting the implication of potential prior concealment.

Tell me the truth

A straightforward request for honesty.

Give it to me straight

An informal way of asking for someone to be blunt and honest.

Be candid with me

Uses a more formal synonym for "honest", suggesting a professional setting.

Be frank with me

Similar to "candid", but perhaps implying a more personal and less guarded disclosure.

Don't sugarcoat it

Asks for the truth without attempts to make it more palatable.

Level with me

An idiom indicating a request for someone to be truthful and sincere.

Don't hold back

Encourages complete and unreserved honesty.

Lay it on me

An informal way of asking someone to deliver news, often unpleasant, directly.

FAQs

What does "be upfront with me" mean?

The phrase "be upfront with me" means to be honest, direct, and open in your communication. It's a request for someone to avoid being evasive and to disclose their true thoughts or feelings.

How can I ask someone to "be upfront with me" without sounding demanding?

You can soften the request by adding phrases like "if you're comfortable", "if you don't mind", or "I would appreciate it if you could "be honest with me"".

Is "be upfront with me" appropriate in all situations?

While generally acceptable, the level of formality may need adjustment depending on the context. In professional settings, consider using phrases like "be candid with me" or in informal settings alternatives like "give it to me straight" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "be upfront with me" and "tell me the truth"?

"Be upfront with me" implies a broader request for honesty and openness, while "tell me the truth" specifically asks for factual accuracy about a particular matter.