Why do we say"to be honest, ..."?
When we ask for an opinion on something, we often get the response, "To be honest, ..."
Is the inference here that normally we are not to expect them to be honest?
When we ask for an opinion on something, we often get the response, "To be honest, ..."
Is the inference here that normally we are not to expect them to be honest?
rava204
Favorite Answer
I have found that the person who begins their answer by saying "To be honest..." usually thinks that their answer will not be one you like.
Sometimes it's true, that you don't like the answer, and sometimes it's not.
Unless they give you a good reason why their answer might not be honest, it's probably best to accept it in good faith.... and understand that, if it later is proven to not be honest, it will tell you something about the person who answered it.
But all the same, remember that if they give their opinion, it is only their opinion and doesn't have to be 100% true.
MoreOvaltinePlease
It's just a common way to start the speech off, nothing serious.