speaking frankly
Telling it straight
Speaking frankly signals that what follows will be direct and unvarnished, without the usual social cushioning: Speaking frankly, I think your business plan won't work.
The phrase often precedes unwelcome truths or blunt assessments.
It functions like "to be honest" or "candidly"—a brief warning that politeness is being set aside.
- candidHonest and direct
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- honestFree from deception
- straight talkHonest, direct communication
- directUndeviating or to guide
outspoken · straight · truthful · telling it like it is · upfront · plainspoken · brutal · brutal honesty · harsh · hard truth · unfiltered · raw · no holds barred · real · tell · confession · cards · cards on the table
- candordirectness, bluntness, candor, straightforwardness, openness
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, to tell the truth, if i'm being honest
speaking franklybeating around the bush
Avoiding direct communication
hedging · equivocating · mincing words · hinting · obfuscating
speaking franklylying
Stating known falsehoods
deceiving · dissembling · prevaricating · fabricating · spinning
speaking franklysugarcoating
Making unpleasant seem pleasant
couching · cushioning · whitewashing · glossing over · tiptoeing around
speak, speaking, speaks, spoken, speaker, speakers, speakable, unspeakable, frank