truth
♦♦ truth /tr'uːθ/ (truths)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.
I must tell you the truth about this business...
The truth of the matter is that we had no other choice...
In the town very few know the whole truth.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of/in n
If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true.
There is no truth in this story...
Is there any truth to the rumors?...
3 [N-COUNT]
A truth is something that is believed to be true.
It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.
4
see also home truth, moment of truth
5 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something.
In truth, we were both unhappy.
6 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say to tell you the truth or truth to tell in order to indicate that you are telling someone something in an open and honest way, without trying to hide anything.
To tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him...home truth (home truths)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Home truths are unpleasant facts that you learn about yourself, usually from someone else. (BRIT)
We held a team meeting and a few home truths were spelled out.mo|ment of truth (moments of truth)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to a time or event as the moment of truth, you mean that it is an important time when you must make a decision quickly, and whatever you decide will have important consequences in the future.
Both men knew the moment of truth had arrived.
= crunch
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.
I must tell you the truth about this business...
The truth of the matter is that we had no other choice...
In the town very few know the whole truth.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of/in n
If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true.
There is no truth in this story...
Is there any truth to the rumors?...
3 [N-COUNT]
A truth is something that is believed to be true.
It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.
4
see also home truth, moment of truth
5 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something.
In truth, we were both unhappy.
6 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say to tell you the truth or truth to tell in order to indicate that you are telling someone something in an open and honest way, without trying to hide anything.
To tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him...home truth (home truths)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Home truths are unpleasant facts that you learn about yourself, usually from someone else. (BRIT)
We held a team meeting and a few home truths were spelled out.mo|ment of truth (moments of truth)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to a time or event as the moment of truth, you mean that it is an important time when you must make a decision quickly, and whatever you decide will have important consequences in the future.
Both men knew the moment of truth had arrived.
= crunch