not entirely honest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not entirely honest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is somewhat deceptive or lacks full transparency, but not completely dishonest. Example: "While he provided some useful information, his explanation was not entirely honest, leaving out key details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"They were not entirely honest with us," Mr. Turner added.

The New York Times

He was not entirely honest in the performance of his duties, and not always sober either.

The Economist

"She's bold about her experiences but she's not entirely honest about how they make her feel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So I gathered from Danny that the property business in which Simon was involved was not entirely honest.

The Guardian

But, in Harlan's view, the great race man was also an "artful dodger," and a not entirely honest broker, forever spying on his critics, punishing his enemies, rewarding his friends, and bribing the Negro press.

The New Yorker

In "True Confessions" (1981), Mr. Duvall played an embittered and not entirely honest Los Angeles cop who, along with his brother, a priest (Mr. De Niro), becomes embroiled in the investigation of a young woman's murder.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He goes on to admit that he, too, wasn't entirely honest.

Vice

There's a gap between high expectations and the mixed reality of most jobs--and those with high hopes also wind up frustrated that their employers weren't entirely honest with them.

Huffington Post

Well, if we are being honest, that's not entirely true.

Huffington Post

No to be honest, that's not true, not entirely true what you just said about my name being Pepsi in a movie.

The New York Times

Not entirely true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not entirely honest" when you want to express a nuanced level of dishonesty, where the subject is not outright lying but is withholding or distorting the truth.

Common error

Avoid using "not entirely honest" excessively as a way to soften the impact of dishonesty. In some cases, directness is more appropriate and impactful. Consider if a more direct term like "dishonest" or "misleading" would be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not entirely honest" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a quality of being less than completely truthful. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a nuanced form of deception.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not entirely honest" is a common and versatile way to express a qualified lack of truthfulness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies a degree of deception without being an outright lie. It often appears in news and media, but also finds use in everyday conversation. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and whether a more direct or alternative phrasing might be more appropriate. The spectrum of phrases like "somewhat dishonest", "partially truthful", or "slightly misleading" are available to enhance precision and suit the degree of nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dishonest

Indicates a lesser degree of dishonesty compared to "not entirely honest".

partially truthful

Suggests that some aspects are true, but others are not, similar to "not entirely honest".

less than truthful

Emphasizes a lack of complete truthfulness, akin to "not entirely honest".

slightly misleading

Focuses on the potential to cause misunderstanding rather than outright lying.

evasive

Describes someone who avoids direct answers, implying a lack of honesty.

not completely candid

Indicates a lack of openness and sincerity.

economical with the truth

A euphemistic expression suggesting that someone is being deliberately vague or misleading.

bending the truth

Implies a manipulation of facts, stopping short of a complete lie.

stretching the truth

Similar to bending the truth, but may imply a greater exaggeration.

being disingenuous

Highlights a lack of sincerity and a calculated effort to deceive.

FAQs

What does "not entirely honest" mean?

The phrase "not entirely honest" means that someone is being less than truthful or is withholding some of the truth. It implies a degree of deception without being a complete lie.

What are some alternatives to "not entirely honest"?

Alternatives include "somewhat dishonest", "partially truthful", or "slightly misleading". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not honest" or "not entirely honest"?

Saying "not honest" is more direct and implies complete dishonesty. "Not entirely honest" suggests a partial lack of honesty, implying some truthfulness or mitigating circumstances. The choice depends on the degree of deception you want to convey.

How can I use "not entirely honest" in a sentence?

Example: "While the politician answered the questions, his responses were "not entirely honest", as he avoided addressing the most critical issues."