if truth be told


if (the) ˌtruth be ˈknown/ˈtold

used to tell somebody the true facts about a situation, especially when these are not known by other people: None of the students really liked the new teacher. In fact, if the truth be told, everyone was rather afraid of him.See also: if, known, told, truth

if truth be told

To be perfectly honest, to present all the facts of a case. James Patterson used it in his novel, Roses Are Red (2000): “I am a little scared, truth be told.” See also fact of the matter; truth to tell.See also: if, told, truth