telling it like it is
Unfiltered straight talk
Speaking bluntly and honestly, especially about uncomfortable truths others might avoid or sugarcoat.
The phrase usually carries approval—someone who tells it like it is is valued for directness rather than diplomacy: I appreciate that she tells it like it is, even when it's hard to hear.
Sometimes used defensively to justify rudeness as honesty.
- ingenuousInnocently frank and trusting
- candidHonest and direct
- frankOpen and direct
- bluntnessFrank, unvarnished manner
- honestFree from deception
brutal honesty · rawness · veracity · plain-speaking · real talk · transparency · realism · integrity · authenticity · directness · cutting to the chase · sincerity · truthfulness · forthrightness · genuineness · openness · cards on the table · straightforwardness
- candorfrankness, directness, bluntness, candor, straightforwardness
telling it like it isbeating around the bush
Avoiding direct communication
sugarcoating · hedging · mincing words · pussyfooting · equivocating
telling it like it islying
Stating known falsehoods
deceiving · misleading · spinning · dissembling · whitewashing
telling, tells, teller, retell, likes, liking, likeness, unlike, likely