God's honest truth
The absolute, unequivocal truth (i.e., as if spoken by God). I'm sorry if such criticism offends you, but it's simply God's honest truth.
open and aboveboard
Fully visible to public scrutiny; completely and openly honest or legitimate. Though some regulators have expressed concern over the merger of the two multinationals, everything about the deal has been open and aboveboard.
an honest buck
Honest, legal work or income. Often used in the phrase "make/earn an honest buck." Primarily heard in US. After 10 years working for the mob, Jeremy was ready to finally start making an honest buck.
make an honest buck
To earn money in an honest, legal manner. Primarily heard in US. After 10 years working for the mob, Jeremy was ready to finally start making an honest buck.
earn an honest buck
To earn money in an honest, legal manner. Primarily heard in US. After 10 years working for the mob, Jeremy was ready to finally start earning an honest buck.
honest injun
An expression used to emphasize the veracity of one's statement. Based on an informal spelling of "Indian" (i.e., Native American), the phrase is somewhat dated and may be considered offensive. Primarily heard in US. I swear it wasn't me who broke the lamp, honest injun!
an honest mistake
A mistake made unintentionally or unknowingly and without the intention of causing harm; a mistake that anyone might have made in similar circumstances. It was an honest mistake! How was I to know that you wouldn't want me to send that letter with the rest of the mail?
honest to Pete
Honestly; truly; genuinely. An expression used to emphasize the veracity of one's statement, "Pete" here is a substitution of the word "God," so as to avoid potential blasphemy. I swear it wasn't me who broke the lamp, honest to Pete! Honest to Pete, how are we supposed to finish this project on time with half of our staff laid off?
the honest truth
The sincere, unadulterated truth. I swear it wasn't me who broke the lamp, that's the honest truth! The honest truth is that I don't really see this relationship working out in the long run.
if I'm honest
A phrase used to underscore that one is sharing one's true feelings. It is often used when the speaker is reluctant to speak truthfully. A: "So how do you feel about this plan?" B: "Well, if I'm honest, I think it's a big mistake."
to be honest
A set phrase used to emphasize that one is speaking truthfully (and perhaps reluctantly). Well, to be honest, I've never liked her husband that much. I know you guys love going to bars on Saturday night, but to be honest, it really doesn't interest me.
turn an honest penny
To earn money in an honorable and legitimate way, typically through one's hard work. I used to swindle people, but I turn an honest penny these days, I swear! You're 40 years old—you need to get a job and start turning an honest penny.
be as honest as the day is long
To be very truthful and reliable. Tom is as honest as the day is long—if he promised to help you move, then he'll be here. Kate would never cheat on an exam—she's as honest as the day is long.
honest and aboveboard
and open and aboveboardFig. in the open; visible to the public; honest. Don't keep it a secret. Let's make sure that everything is honest and aboveboard. You can do whatever you wish, as long as you keep it honest and aboveboard. The inspector had to make sure that everything was open and aboveboard.
Honest to goodness.
and Honest to God.; Honest to Pete.I speak the truth. (Some people may object to the use of God in this phrase.) Did he really say that? Honest to goodness? Honest to Pete, I've been to the South Pole.
keep someone honest
to manage to make someone behave honestly and fairly and tell the truth. I love to tell about our vacations, and my wife is usually with me to keep me honest.
make an honest woman of someone
Fig. to marry a woman. (Intended as jocular.) So you finally made an honest woman out of Denise. She had wanted Max to make an honest woman of her, but you can't depend on Max to do anything right.
be as honest as the day (is long)
to be completely honest You can be as honest as the day is long and still get into trouble if you fill in your tax form incorrectly.
honest to God
(informal) something you say in order to emphasize that you are telling the truth I didn't mean to hurt him, honest to God I didn't!
make an honest woman of somebody
(humorous) if a man makes an honest woman of someone that he is having a relationship with, he marries her You've been living with Jean for five years, isn't it time you made an honest woman of her?
honest-to-goodness
an honest-to-goodness thing or person is plain, simple, and exactly what they appear to be (always before noun) I'd much rather have an honest-to-goodness steak than any of the fancy stuff he cooks.
honest to God
Also, honest to goodness or Pete ; honest Injun. Truly, really, as in Honest to God, I didn't know it was yours, or Honest to goodness, we had exactly the same experience, or I promise I'll finish in time, honest to Pete, or Honest Injun, I didn't take your wallet. These colloquial assertions date from about 1900, except for honest Injun, dating from the late 1800s and today considered offensive.
open and aboveboard
Also, honest and aboveboard. Candid and fair, without deceit or trickery, as in I'll join you, but only if everything remains open and aboveboard. Both versions of this expression are redundancies, since they use open and aboveboard in the sense of "honest." The latter word, dating from the early 1600s, comes from gambling and alludes to the fact that card players who do not keep their hands on the table (board) may be suspected of changing their cards under the table.