deadly honest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deadly honest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely frank or straightforward in their honesty, often to the point of being harsh or blunt. Example: "When it comes to giving feedback, she is deadly honest, which can be both refreshing and intimidating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I'll be deadly honest," Mr. Williams said.

The New York Times

Sally, deadly honest in her way, fits right in with the town's gadflies, emotionally displaced Jews, halfhearted gigolos, and kindly landladies.

The New Yorker

Although she had published only a handful of stories, Welty already flaunted a distinct and not unshocking literary manner: deadly honest, ruthlessly funny, and as subversive of complacent American normalcy as that of any jaundiced expatriate.

The New Yorker

I've always been different, but the only reason I'm different is because I'm deadly honest.

Huffington Post

If you stay real deadly honest and write about some very interesting things then you'll be a good one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

All can prove deadly.

The Economist

If there are unrepaired, serious mechanical problems with any commercial aircraft, is it because an honest but potentially deadly mistake was made by the mechanics and/or their supervisors or, more ominously, because one or more people directly involved purposely ignored or took improper short cuts in fixing it?

Forbes

It's the terrorism nurtured and fomented by elements of our own culture that are, let's be honest, far more deadly to our own citizens on our own soil than the forces of violent jihadism.

Huffington Post

"If there is anything that Sars has taught China and its government, it's that one cannot be too careful or too honest when it comes to deadly pandemics," wrote Xinhua wrote on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Under state law, "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force" can constitute voluntary manslaughter.

The New York Times

His lawyers argued that Mr. Roeder possessed, as Kansas law defines it, "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force," in the hopes of securing a voluntary manslaughter conviction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deadly honest" when you want to emphasize that someone is not just honest, but remarkably and perhaps uncomfortably so. Consider the context; it can imply bluntness or a lack of concern for others' feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "deadly honest" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more diplomatic tone is expected. Alternatives like "forthright" or "candid" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deadly honest" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's character. It amplifies the quality of being honest, suggesting an extreme degree of frankness or bluntness, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deadly honest" describes an extreme level of frankness, often implying a lack of concern for the consequences of being truthful. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, it's more suitable for informal or descriptive contexts than for formal or professional communication. As the examples from Ludwig show, it appears primarily in news and media, suggesting that while understandable, alternatives like "brutally frank" or "unflinchingly sincere" might be more appropriate in certain situations. Use it when you want to emphasize that someone is not just honest, but remarkably and perhaps uncomfortably so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bluntly honest

Highlights the directness and lack of tact.

brutally frank

Emphasizes the harshness and directness of the honesty.

painfully truthful

Highlights the discomfort that the honesty might cause.

uncompromisingly frank

Implies a steadfast refusal to soften the truth.

ruthlessly candid

Implies a lack of concern for the consequences of being honest.

incredibly forthright

Stresses the direct and outspoken nature.

unflinchingly sincere

Focuses on the unwavering nature of the honesty.

ferociously truthful

Emphasizes the strength and intensity of the honesty.

scrupulously honest

Highlights the extreme care and integrity in being honest.

devastatingly honest

Highlights the potentially damaging impact of the honesty.

FAQs

What does "deadly honest" mean?

The phrase "deadly honest" describes someone who is extremely frank and truthful, often to the point of being blunt or harsh. It suggests a level of honesty that might be uncomfortable or even damaging.

When is it appropriate to use "deadly honest"?

Use "deadly honest" when you want to emphasize the extreme and perhaps unflattering nature of someone's honesty. It is most suitable in informal settings or when describing a character known for their bluntness.

What can I say instead of "deadly honest"?

You can use alternatives like "brutally frank", "painfully truthful", or "ruthlessly candid" depending on the context.

Is "deadly honest" grammatically correct?

Yes, "deadly honest" is grammatically correct and understandable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.