owns up
Admits the truth
To own up is to admit to something, especially something embarrassing or wrong: He owned up to breaking the window.
The phrase implies reluctant honesty—acknowledging what you'd rather not.
She finally owned up about the missing money.
Without an object, it still carries the sense of confession: When confronted, he owned up.
- confessesAcknowledges wrongdoing openly
- admitsAllows entrance or confesses
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- acceptConsent to receive
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
shoulders · face the music · truth · tell the truth · reveal · answers for · candid · sincere · hand on heart · mea culpa · shame · upright · genuine · ethical · concede · trustworthy · declare · disclose