give it to me straight

USAGE SUMMARY

"give it to me straight" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to tell the truth or to tell someone something directly and without sugarcoating it. It can be used in various situations, such as when asking for honest feedback, advice, or information. Example: "I appreciate your opinion, but please give it to me straight. Do you think I have what it takes to become a successful writer?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Give it to me straight up".

The New Yorker

"Give it to me straight, doc".

The Guardian - Opinion

The son, quiet for most of the meeting, broke the silence and, with a hint of anger and a big dollop of frustration, asked the one question I had dreaded being asked the most: "Doc, give it to me straight.

The New York Times

Give it to me straight.

Huffington Post

But they're not afraid to give it to me straight.

Huffington Post

I said, "Just give it to me straight, Doc.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Because this is as good as human gets.He just gives it to me straight.

The New Yorker

"When it's mattered most, behind closed doors, in the Oval Office, you've always given it to me straight.

The New Yorker

"If I'm wrong, she gives it to me straight, and she'll definitely chew me out".

The New York Times - Sports

I want to thank him for his friendship, his counsel, for always giving it to me straight.

The Guardian

My team gave it to me straight, with team leader Maj-Gen Tim Toyne Sewell deciding on a radical tactical shift.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give it to me straight" when you need a candid, unfiltered response, especially when dealing with sensitive or critical information.

Common error

While widely understood, "give it to me straight" is informal. In professional or academic settings, opt for phrases like "be frank with me" or "provide an unvarnished assessment" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it to me straight" functions as an idiomatic expression used to request direct, unfiltered honesty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it to me straight" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that requests directness and honesty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informal and is frequently found in news media and general conversation. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "be frank with me" or "provide an unvarnished assessment". Understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more effective and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be honest with me

Focuses on the honesty aspect, omitting the need for brevity or bluntness.

Tell me the truth

Emphasizes the importance of receiving truthful information, removing the implication of directness.

Don't sugarcoat it

Highlights the desire to avoid softened or embellished information.

Lay it on me

More informal, suggesting a willingness to accept potentially bad news directly.

Be upfront with me

Stresses the importance of forthrightness and transparency in the communication.

Let's be frank

Suggests a shift to a more candid and direct mode of communication.

Get to the point

Focuses on conciseness and avoiding unnecessary details.

Spare me the details

Highlights the desire to avoid unnecessary information and get straight to the core issue.

Just the facts, please

Emphasizes a preference for objective information without personal opinions or embellishments.

Don't beat around the bush

Requests the speaker to avoid indirectness and address the issue directly.

FAQs

How can I use "give it to me straight" in a sentence?

You can use "give it to me straight" when you want someone to be direct and honest with you. For example: "I know this might be bad news, but "give it to me straight". What are our chances of success?"

What's a more formal way to say "give it to me straight"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "be frank with me", "provide an unvarnished assessment", or "state the facts directly" instead of ""give it to me straight"".

Is it appropriate to use "give it to me straight" in a business meeting?

While ""give it to me straight"" is widely understood, it might be too informal for some business settings. Consider your audience and the company culture before using it. Alternatives like "be direct" or "provide a candid assessment" may be more suitable.

What does ""give it to me straight"" mean?

The phrase ""give it to me straight"" means to tell someone something directly and honestly, without trying to make it sound better or less unpleasant. It's asking for the unvarnished truth.