english
1
general::
adj.
ethical:
An honest person is a treasure.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
adj. VERBS be, seem ADV. extremely, really, scrupulously, truly, very | absolutely, completely, perfectly, quite, totally | less than, not altogether, not entirely I don't think you've been altogether honest with me. | basically, enough, reasonably She seems honest enough. | refreshingly | brutally, painfully, ruthlessly Let's be brutally honest about this: you haven't a hope of succeeding. PREP. about Try to be honest about how you feel. | in He is always scrupulously honest in his business activities. | with My parents were always completely honest with me. PHRASES to be honest (with you) To be quite honest with you, I don't think he's the right person for the job. | open and honest She was totally open and honest about her feelings.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with HONEST, Also see COME BY (HONESTLY); OPEN (HONEST) AND ABOVEBOARD.
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
not cheating, stealing, lying etc
honest
always saying what is true, and not cheating, stealing etc:
• I liked them because they were good honest people. • You can trust Noah – he’s totally honest.
reputable
known to be honest and good in your business or work – used about people, companies, or organizations:
• It’s best to buy from a reputable company. • They were highly reputable sports physicians.
above board
[ not before noun ] honest and legal – used about the way something is done, organized etc:
• The deal was entirely above board. • Was the voting in the elections above board?
upright
written always behaving in an honest way:
• an upright citizen • George was an upright man from a military family.
not hiding the truth or the facts
honest
saying what you really think and not hiding the truth or the facts:
• I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me. • an honest answer • To be honest, I didn’t think his speech was very good.
straight
informal honest and saying what you really think:
• I can’t help you if you’re not straight with me. • I need a straight answer.
open
willing to talk about what you think, feel etc in an honest way, rather than trying to hide it:
• People have become more open about their feelings. • She’s very easy to talk to because she’s so open.
frank
speaking honestly and directly about something, especially something that people find difficult to discuss:
• In his book, he’s brutally frank about his experience with his illness. • a frank discussion about sex
direct
saying exactly what you think in an honest clear way, even when this might annoy or upset people:
• Not everyone liked his direct manner. • She can be very direct.
blunt
speaking in a completely honest way, even if it upsets people, when it would be better to be more careful or polite:
• Sorry if I was a bit blunt with you. • His hard tone and blunt words were hurtful. • She didn’t reply and I knew I had been too blunt.
upfront
[ not before noun ] informal talking and behaving in an honest way, even when it is difficult to do this, in a way that people respect:
• It’s best to be upfront about your financial problems. • You have to be upfront with kids.
outspoken
expressing your opinions publicly in a very direct way, which may offend or annoy some people:
• an outspoken critic of the government • He was known for his outspoken views on various controversies.
forthright
formal saying exactly what what you think, without being afraid of what other people will think:
• The opposition have not come up with a clear forthright statement of their policies. • At times, Helena was a little too forthright.
candid
formal honest about the facts, or about your opinions and feelings, even if other people disapprove of them:
• He’d always been completely candid about his past. • It was an unusually candid admission for a politician.
Longman-Thesaurus