Idiom: give it to someone straight

Definition

Idiom: give it to someone straight

to tell someone bad or difficult information honestly and directly

Example sentences

— I'm glad that the doctor gave it to you straight so you can understand how important it is to reduce stress and get more rest.

— I wish my boss would just give it to me straight and let me know what I'm doing wrong.

— I asked my lawyer to give it to me straight and he said I'm facing up to five years in jail.

— You need to give it to our children straight this evening—no cell phone use until they have shown to us that they have completed their homework.

— I wasn't prepared when my doctor gave it to me straight that I have terminal cancer but I appreciate his honesty since I don't have much time left.

— The government lied about the lead levels in the water in Flint, Michigan and they still haven't given it straight to the residents about the current situation with the water.

— The management team refuses to give it to us straight about the financial health of this company so everyone is getting very nervous.

— This is very difficult but I need to give it to you straight. This concussion is so serious you need to quit playing football.

— We owe it to our church parishioners to give it to them straight about the stolen funds as soon as possible or they won't trust us in the future.

Synonyms

call a spade a spade
give it to/tell someone point blank
to someone's face
straight to someone's face
tell someone flat out

Antonyms (phrases with opposite meanings)

beat around the bush
mince words
hum and haw
dance around

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