to put it straight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to put it straight" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce a clarification or explanation, as in the following example: "Some people claim that summer is the best season; to put it straight, I believe every season has its own attractions and merits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I'd like to put it straight that he's not a paedophile.

Independent

"I rarely see the actual money, I like to put it straight back into the other stuff.

The Guardian - Music

Or, to put it another way, if you alert the reader that the saga of modern India in their hands is actually a remarkably faithful adaptation of Shakespeare, will they be tempted to put it straight back on the shelf?

The Times

To put it straight: We all respect Arsenal but right now I'm only focused on helping Saints to have a strong finish to the season.

BBC

I wanted to put it straight out there".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As I was writing an EP after the last record came out, Be Myself, and the immediacy of writing "Wouldn't Want to be Like You," and being able to just put it straight out - it felt like tweeting basically.

Forbes

"Andrew Reed and his team have racked up huge debt and the question is are they the right people to take the hospital back and put it straight?" The hospital declined to respond to Dr Poulter's comments.

BBC

But if the AKP gains 330 of the 550 seats, it will be able to push through a constitutional draft without support from the opposition and put it straight to a referendum.

The New York Times

Cook pasta in a pot of boiling, salted water (no oil) to just before al dente, then put it straight into a frying pan to finish it with your sauce or other ingredients and a touch of the pasta water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So I'll break it down into our jargon and I put it straight to them… (AHW2, urban AMS2) Juxtaposed with these traditional clinical and brokerage roles is an increasing emphasis on health promotion and community development roles.

BMC Health Services Research

Or just put it straight on to the soil as a mulch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to put it straight" when you want to immediately clarify a potentially confusing statement or situation. It signals directness and a lack of hedging.

Common error

Avoid using "to put it straight" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for alternatives like "to clarify" or "in other words" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put it straight" functions as a discourse marker. It signals to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to provide a clear, direct, and often simplified explanation or restatement of a point. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is often used to introduce clarification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put it straight" is a correct and idiomatic phrase used to signal a direct and clear explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions as a discourse marker with a neutral register, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While not excessively formal, it effectively communicates an intention to be straightforward and avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "to be frank" or "simply put" for nuanced communication, and avoid its overuse in strictly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply put

Signals a simplified explanation of a complex topic.

to put it another way

Indicates a different perspective or phrasing of the same idea.

to be frank

Replaces the introductory phrase with a focus on honesty and directness.

to clarify

Directly states the intention to make something clearer.

to be clear

Emphasizes clarity and lack of ambiguity in the following statement.

in layman's terms

Promises an explanation that avoids technical or specialized jargon.

in plain language

Highlights the use of simple, easily understandable terms.

basically

Introduces a summary of the essential points.

in other words

Indicates a restatement of something already said, for clarification.

let me rephrase that

Signals that the speaker will express something in a different way for better understanding.

FAQs

What does "to put it straight" mean?

The phrase "to put it straight" is an idiom that means to express something clearly and directly, without trying to be subtle or avoid offending someone.

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

You can use "to put it straight" to introduce a more direct explanation or clarification of a previous statement. For example, "Some people find the new policy confusing; "simply put", it means fewer benefits for everyone."

Which is correct, "to put it straight" or "to say it straight"?

"To put it straight" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "to say it straight" might be understood, it is not as frequently used.

What can I say instead of "to put it straight"?

You can use alternatives like "to be frank", "simply put", or "to be clear" depending on the specific context and desired tone.