unvarnished truth

USAGE SUMMARY

"unvarnished truth" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a statement or fact that is honest, direct, and not embellished or distorted in any way. It can also be used to describe a person who always speaks or presents information in a completely transparent and unaltered manner. Example: The politician's promises may sound appealing, but voters were looking for the unvarnished truth about their plans for the country's economy before making a decision at the polls.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead the plain, unvarnished truth.

The Guardian - Tech

We use "unvarnished truth" freely.

The New Yorker

The sound of unvarnished truth rang loudly.

The Economist

Rather, it is unvarnished truth that impresses.

The New York Times - Sports

And that was the unvarnished truth.

The Guardian - Sport

And no one expected unvarnished truth from him.

The New York Times - Arts

It makes a change to get the unvarnished truth.

The Guardian - Business

At Pitt, he built a national reputation for telling the unvarnished truth.

The New York Times - Sports

It found plenty of unvarnished truth tellers in the strip joints ("It's a brothel in here").

The Economist

But being nasty (or maybe just telling the unvarnished truth) is not his way.

The New York Times

EVERYONE ELSE MUST FAIL The Unvarnished Truth About Oracle and Larry Ellison.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unvarnished truth", ensure that the context supports a direct and unfiltered representation of facts. Avoid using it ironically or sarcastically, as this can undermine its intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "unvarnished truth" merely to add drama or shock value to a statement. Ensure the claim is genuinely factual and not just an opinion presented as absolute truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unvarnished truth" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a statement or fact presented honestly and directly, free from embellishment. Examples show it used to emphasize the clarity and objectivity of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unvarnished truth" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies honesty, directness, and a lack of embellishment in presenting information. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and primarily functions to assure audiences of the objectivity and transparency of a statement. Found most frequently in News & Media, its usage underscores a commitment to presenting facts without bias. While related phrases exist, each carries slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a truly unfiltered representation of facts. This is the core message related to the use of the phrase in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plain truth

Emphasizes simplicity and lack of embellishment, similar to "unvarnished truth".

naked truth

Implies vulnerability and exposure, suggesting the truth is raw and unfiltered.

honest truth

Highlights the aspect of sincerity and lack of deceit.

brutal truth

Focuses on the harsh or unpleasant nature of the truth being revealed.

unadorned truth

Stresses the lack of ornamentation or embellishment, presenting the truth in its simplest form.

simple truth

Highlights the fundamental and easily understood nature of the truth.

raw truth

Suggests the truth is unprocessed and in its natural state.

undisguised truth

Emphasizes the absence of any attempt to conceal or mask the truth.

the gospel truth

Implies an absolute and unquestionable veracity.

the absolute truth

Implies a complete and unwavering factual accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "unvarnished truth" in a sentence?

You can use "unvarnished truth" to emphasize that you are presenting facts without any embellishment or distortion, such as "The report presented the "unvarnished truth" about the company's financial situation".

What can I say instead of "unvarnished truth"?

You can use alternatives like "plain truth", "naked truth", or "honest truth" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unvarnished truth" the same as "absolute truth"?

While both phrases suggest a high degree of accuracy, ""unvarnished truth"" focuses on the presentation of facts without embellishment, while "absolute truth" implies a complete and unwavering factual accuracy that may be difficult to attain.

What's the difference between "unvarnished truth" and "brutal truth"?

"Unvarnished truth" simply means presenting facts without any sugarcoating, while "brutal truth" implies that the truth is harsh or unpleasant.