AEE 2481: Truth Be Told, These Idioms Will Improve your English

Summary

All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2481

Title: Truth Be Told, These Idioms Will Improve Your English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: September 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into idioms related to the word "truth" in American English, breaking down four common expressions: "truth be told," "the moment of truth," "face the truth," and "the ugly truth." Lindsay and Michelle provide engaging explanations, personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and practical role play examples, all with the aim of enhancing your fluency and natural expression. The episode focuses on helping intermediate to advanced English learners connect, not just perfect their usage, by understanding idiomatic language as it appears in real life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Icebreaker: Childhood Games and “Truth or Dare”

• Michelle kicks off the episode by asking Lindsay about playing “truth or dare” as a child (02:09).
• Both reminisce about the game, with Lindsay often picking "dare."
• The hosts explain the premise for listeners who might not be familiar: choosing between answering an honest question or performing a silly or daring task.
• Humorous stories about prank phone calls and how these were a part of their childhood (04:00), including the classic “Is your refrigerator running?” joke.

2. Main Idioms About “Truth”

a) “Truth Be Told”

• Used to reveal an honest opinion, sometimes when the sentiment is a bit harsh or difficult (05:40).
• Meaning: Equivalent to “To be honest” or “Frankly.”
• Example: “Truth be told, I think we should take another look at the estimate before we make our decision.” (05:56)
• Often prefaces or follows an opinion, especially when revealing something candid.

“Truth be told, it is the best way because you get everything over there...”
—Lindsay, talking about the All Ears English app (04:52)

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b) “The Moment of Truth”

• The crucial time when something important is revealed, usually a decision or result (06:40).
• Example: "Moment of truth! Open the envelope and find out if you got in." (06:56)
• Discussed in the context of receiving college acceptance letters—an anxious, pivotal moment.
• Also highlighted as a phrase sometimes used sarcastically to hurry someone along in minor decisions.
• Cultural note: Lindsey and Michelle discuss traditions around wedding dress shopping and big life decisions in America (08:17).

“All right, let’s go. Moment of truth.”
—Lindsay, playfully urging a decision (08:55)

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c) “Face the Truth”

• Means to accept something difficult or uncomfortable (10:59).
• Example: "I guess I just have to face the truth that I'll be sitting in traffic." (13:47)
• Discussion turns to classic dating advice like “He’s just not that into you,” drawing from the cultural lexicon and movies/books, highlighting the real-life utility of the phrase (11:19).

“It’s like you have to accept something. Sometimes it can be hard to actually accept that something is real.”
—Michelle (10:59)

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d) “The Ugly Truth”

• Something true but unpleasant or hard to accept (12:09).
• Often used to describe realities people would rather not face.
• Example: "Nothing is ever free. That's the ugly truth." (12:33)
• Hosts share personal “ugly truths,” like the passage of time as kids grow up or physical aging (12:43).

“It’s not as easy to stay in shape anymore as it was when I was 25. That’s the ugly truth.”
—Lindsay (13:11)

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3. Comprehensive Idioms Role Play

• Michelle and Lindsay enact a natural exchange between friends, incorporating all four idioms (13:28–15:22).

• Example dialogue:

  • Michelle: “Truth be told, I don’t think I can really commit to Wednesday.” (13:31)
  • Lindsay: “Come on, Michelle. Moment of truth!” (13:47)
  • Michelle: “I just have to face the truth that I’ll be sitting in traffic, but it’ll be worth it to hang out.” (13:53)
  • Lindsay: “That’s the ugly truth.” (13:55)

  They discuss how these idioms fit not only big life situations but also everyday decisions, and how tone of voice can affect their meaning.

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4. Cultural & Practical Usage Tips

• Idioms like these add color and clarity when stating opinions or discussing uncomfortable realities.
• They’re common in both formal and informal settings.
• Sarcasm or playfulness can modify meaning, especially with “moment of truth.”
• The hosts encourage listeners to try these phrases in real-life situations and notice the tone and context.

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5. Related Content and Listener Poll

• Reference to a previous episode about “lie” idioms: “Not Gonna Lie, This Episode Will Keep You Honest.”

• Spotify Poll for listeners:
  Is it ever okay to lie?

  • Yes only to spare someone’s feelings
  • Yes
  • No

  Lindsay notes this is a fascinating topic that varies across cultures, referencing graduate-level discussions about absolute vs. relative truth (16:08).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On learning idioms naturally:

  “You may have heard this. This is used when you introduce some sort of opinion, which is exactly what we just did.”
  —Lindsay (05:56)

• On universal experiences:

  “The passage of time, Michelle.”
  —Lindsay (12:47)
  “That’s always mine. Yeah, it’s...that’s...yeah, that.”
  —Michelle (12:48)

• On culture and relationships:

  “In LA, people just don’t leave their own neighborhoods is my feeling. But people are always on the freeway. It’s so wild.”
  —Lindsay (14:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] — Childhood memories: Truth or Dare
• [04:00] — Classic prank calls & youthful humor
• [05:40] — Idiom #1: “Truth be told”
• [06:40] — Idiom #2: “The moment of truth” (+cultural contexts)
• [10:59] — Idiom #3: “Face the truth”
• [12:09] — Idiom #4: “The ugly truth”
• [13:28] — Idioms Role Play in conversation
• [15:29] — Reference to “lie” idioms episode
• [16:08] — Spotify poll & cultural reflection

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Final Takeaways

• These idioms help express honesty and difficult realities, and are useful in both everyday conversation and more serious contexts.
• American cultural habits—such as traditions around decision-making and social gatherings—are woven into how and when these phrases appear.
• Listeners are encouraged to notice tone, context, and the flexibility of these idioms, practicing them to sound more natural and connected in American English.

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If you want to master these idioms, try using them next time you express a tough opinion or face a tricky situation—truth be told, it’s the best way to boost your English!

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Find the episode on Spotify to vote in the poll: “Is it ever okay to lie?” and check out the referenced episode on lying for a fuller picture of truth and lies in American English.

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2481. Truth be told, these idioms will improve your English. Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward/app.

[B]

Today's topic is all about truth. Get four new idioms about truth to express your point of view and connect. You're in a meeting, someone makes a quick comment, everyone laughs, and you're still trying to catch what they said. It's not that you don't know English. It's that real conversations are fake, fast, messy, and full of slang. If you've ever felt left out because you couldn't follow the flow, you're not alone. The good news? You can train your ear. Start by finding out what your level is and what's tripping you up so that you can improve quickly. Take our [e-mail] fluency score one more time. Go to allearsenglish.com F L U E N C Y S C O R E hey, Lindsay. How are you?

[A]

Hey there, Michelle. I'm happy to be here today. How are you?

[B]

I'm doing well, thanks. Lindsay, when you were a kid, did you ever play the game truth or dare?

[A]

I think I did when I was more of a teenager. I feel like that was a teenager thing at parties and things. What about you?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I played it well. Okay, what were you more likely to choose?

[A]

Probably dare. I don't know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Guys, if you don't know this game, I don't know if this is popular around the world, but truth or dare, as you say, Lindsay. Truth or dare. And then if it's truth, then you can ask them kind of an intimate question. Yeah. Or just a really hard question to answer. And if it's dare, you have to do something crazy or silly. Maybe you have to run up to a random person and give them a hug. Or you have to make a prank phone call. Like prank calls.

[A]

Prank calls was the thing that's so bad. What we used to do is kids, like, call prank, like prank people. So bad. Yeah. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So what Are we getting into today, Michelle?

[B]

Yeah, well, today we're going to do an episode about expressions dealing with the word truth. And we actually recently did an episode about with the word lie. And towards the end of the episode, this episode, we can give you that one, the title to that one. So you can go ahead and listen because it's definitely a good one to pair are here because we have truth and lie, right? Yes.

[A]

Love it.

[B]

So. And also wait until the end if you're listening. On Spotify we do these really great polls. We do them every episode but on special episodes we take them and then we announce the results. So if you listen towards to the whole episode you will get on Spotify, we will let you know what the poll is and then we will be reading the results in a future episode. Yes.

[A]

And as we were just talking about prank calls, it reminds me of prank we used to do and I do not recommend doing this now in 2025, but it's kind of a funny joke. Michelle, did you used to do this as a kid? Our babysitter introduced us to this. Of course. So bad example. Babysitter, Right. So we would prank call people and we would say, hey, is your refrigerator running?

[B]

I knew you were gonna say that.

[A]

Yeah, that is the classic one. And they would say, yeah. And then we say, you better go get it.

[B]

Ha. And then we'd hang up. So did you. Oh, you actually. You really did.

[A]

Oh, we really did that one a few times.

[B]

A classic.

[A]

Yeah, classic one. And we thought it was the funniest thing as kids.

[B]

Just. Yeah.

[A]

So funny. Anyway, side point. So. Yeah, anyways.

[B]

Yes. No, but it's like that's funny. Yeah. So. Yeah, well, first of all, I mean, Lindsay, truth be told. Yeah. The best way to get the full allers English experience is with the app.

[A]

Why exactly, Michelle, Truth be told, it is the best way because you get everything over there, right? You get real time transcripts. Each episode is transcribed with human corrected transcriptions, tappable words, saveable words to create your personal power list so you can actually remember some of the words that we are learning today. You'll save them right inside the app where you listen to the show. So every day when you come back, you can review your word list from the day before. Plus on the app there are no ads from outside brands. Right. So it's just, it's just all ears English. It's just our voices in there. So. So go to allersenglish.com app. You can start listening for free over there and then you can Become a premium member if you want. All the maximum benefits. All right, Good stuff.

[B]

Awesome.

[A]

Love it.

[B]

Love the app. All right, so, yeah, let's start out with the first expression. So it's truth be told, which we just used. So, Lindsay, what does that mean?

[A]

And I like the way you use that, Michelle. It felt so natural.

[B]

Oh, thank you.

[A]

It's like to tell the truth.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You may have heard this. This is used when you introduce some sort of opinion, which is exactly what we just did. Or it could be after the opinion is said, like you state xyz. Truth be told, it comes after what you've said or before. So truth be told, I think we should take another look at the estimate before we make our decision. Okay.

[B]

Sometimes you can use this when something is going to be even a little harsh, right? Oh, I. I don't think this is gonna work, truth be told. Right?

[A]

You're skeptical of something.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. So truth be told is a good one. Now the next one I love. Yeah. Yeah. What is it?

[A]

The moment of truth. Oh, right, the moment of truth. The time when something will be revealed connected to a big decision that's being made or a big outcome. Right. It's the big moment of truth. What would be some examples here, Michelle?

[B]

Yeah, you could say, okay, moment of truth. Open the envelope and find. Let's find out if you got in. That brings me back to college applications. Right. Waiting to see, of course.

[A]

But then it was always what they said in the movies. Thicker, thin. Right. Thicker, thin envelope. Because if your envelope was thin, rejection. And then if it's thick, it's got all the brochures and everything you need to know to properly enroll. So it was more about going to the mailbox and seeing what's in it rather than opening the mail item.

[B]

Right. So you could kind of tell, right? Yeah, yeah. Yes, exactly. But that's a really good way that this would be used. Moment of truth. It's like, yeah, you're about to find out the answer. Right.

[A]

Yeah, I do remember that was a stressful time, wasn't it?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Getting those objection or acceptance letters, for sure. And then moment of truth. Do you want the dress or not? So that means that you have to decide. You're saying maybe you've been wavering back and forth. Maybe I will, maybe it won't. Maybe it's your wedding dress, what you're trying to decide on, and you're.

[B]

Maybe you're taking forever to decide. Right. So you know. And then, you know, they're saying the store is closing in Five minutes. All right, moment of truth. We got to decide, right?

[A]

Or your friend just gets annoyed with you. Did you go wedding dress shopping with your mom or your maid of honor?

[B]

I went with my mom, my maid of honor, who was my sister in law, and actually my cousin was up from Florida, so she went as well. What about you?

[A]

Yeah, I went with my mom and my mother in law and my maid of honor. So it's a whole crew, and that's how it. I feel like that's kind of a tradition in the US the bride would typically go dress shopping with the mom and. And a few other people.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Very typical.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, definitely. So, yeah, moment of truth. You know, it doesn't have to be a giant decision, but just. It could even just be kind of used to rush someone along. Like, I go ahead and decide which water bottle I wanted. You know, Dan might just say, all right, let's go. Moment of truth.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And. And we have to know there's a little sarcasm in Dan's voice when he says that in that kind of scenario.

[B]

Right.

[A]

When someone is pushing you to make a decision, when they use the word moment of truth for something that seems kind of, like, insignificant, they're being a little sarcastic.

[B]

Right? Yeah.

[A]

Yes. Love that.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

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[B]

Yeah, it's. It's like you have to accept something. Right. Sometimes it can be hard to actually accept that something is real. So it's that moment where you have to look truth straight in the face and understand that this is the reality. So you have to face the truth. She's just not that into you.

[A]

Oh, it's so true. I think I was just having a conversation with someone about a mutual friend who's in a situation like that, and my comment was, have you. Have you not seen. He's just not that into you. Right. So we forget these lessons. We need to go back to that movie. Review the movie.

[B]

Yeah. That became. I don't know if it was cause of the movie or. Or the movie became from the title. It's like a chicken of the egg. Yeah. It's just not that into you. I think. I think it may have been. Wasn't in a book first? I think so. Yeah.

[A]

I think the phrase was around before and the movie must have used the phrase. But it made it famous and made it clear. So go watch the movie. It's a good one. It's a great little movie. It's a good, nice story. Ugly truth. Michelle would be the next one. Something that is true, but it's not great to hear or it's not great to experience. Accept. It's not easy to accept. Right, right.

[B]

So face the. It's kind of similar to face the truth, that. Face the truth is more about. Like, that maybe about that moment where you accept it. Ugly truth is just kind of. It's there. So it's something that. But. But they're basically the same thing. So something that's true, but it's not great to hear or accept. So nothing is ever free. That's the ugly truth. Yes. Yes.

[A]

And so now question here. What is a truth that is hard for to accept? Oh, that's a big question, Michelle. Do you have anything here that you.

[B]

Could share that my kids are growing up. Oh, time.

[A]

The passage of time, Michelle.

[B]

Yes. It's always. That's always mine. Yeah, it's. That's. Yeah, that.

[A]

That's fair.

[B]

Starting to hurt.

[A]

That's fair. I think every single mother that's listening right now will appreciate that and identify with you as well.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So mine is also related to the passage of time. Maybe that the body breaks down. Like my knees are starting to hurt, you know?

[B]

Oh.

[A]

It's not as easy to Stay in shape anymore as it was when I was 25. Right.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, man. Yep, that's. These are good examples. Now into press. No, but that's okay. Let's cheer up with a role play.

[A]

Here, Michelle. In this role play, we are make. We are friends making plans.

[B]

Okay. All right, here we go. Okay. So truth be told, I don't think I can really commit to Wednesday.

[A]

Oh, no. So Thursday, Friday. Come on, Michelle. Moment of truth.

[B]

Okay. I can do Thursday. I guess I just have to face the truth that I'll be sitting in traffic, but it'll be worth it to hang out. Yeah.

[A]

That's the ugly truth.

[B]

Okay. The traffic. Not the hanging out, the.

[A]

Right, the traffic.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's hard when you live across the city. I mean, imagine if you live in la. This is probably something you deal with all the time.

[B]

Right. Planning around the traffic.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. I think in la, people just don't leave their own neighborhoods is my feeling. But people are always on the freeway. It's so wild. So you have to decide how good is that friendship worth?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

To sit on the 405 for hours. Right.

[B]

Or I'm sure if you're dating someone new. Right. If they live in an area where it's going to be a lot of traffic, I bet that's a big choice. Yeah, that'll.

[A]

That'll give a real hurdle. Introduce a real hurdle for the relationships to stay together.

[B]

For sure.

[A]

All right, so what did you say? You said, okay, so truth be told, I don't think I can really commit to Wednesday. So there's a little bit of a tone of voice action going on here. You're about to reveal something, you're not happy to reveal it.

[B]

Right, right, right. Exactly. And then you're trying to make the plans. Okay. Thursday, Friday. And I'm second guessing, you said, come on, Mich, moment of truth.

[A]

And also tone of voice happening there. Moment of truth.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I'm waiting for you to say something and give me the answer. And you say, I guess I just have to face the truth, that I'll be sitting in traffic, but it'll be worth it to hang out. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. So I'm saying. All right, Lindsay, you're worth it. And you said. Yes, that's the ugly truth.

[A]

Yeah. And that again, the ugly truth is referring to the traffic. Yeah. Good.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

The truth of the sky that you live in.

[B]

Yes, true. Yeah. So, all right, so we were mentioning earlier in the episode that we did an episode about lies, so that was a Saturday episode, a sassy Saturday one and it was called not gonna Lie. This episode will keep you honest, so definitely listen to that one. And as promised, we have a Spotify poll. Lindsay, what is the question?

[A]

Yeah, this is really exciting. You're gonna have to be over in Spotify to participate. So go listen to Spotify to make your voice heard. And here's the question. Is it ever okay to lie? And you have two choices.

[B]

Took three, actually.

[A]

Three choices. Yes only yes or yes only to spare someone's feelings or no. So those are the three choices. And this will be really interesting to find, find this out because I know in my graduate program we studied like flexibility of truth across cultures. And is it like an abs, Is there an absolute truth or is there a relative truth based on are you defending someone in your family, for example, that kind of thing. So I know that that is a cultural index that does vary across cultures. So I'm really excited to hear from our listeners and this will be a fascinating one to hear from our, our community.

[B]

Really good. All right, well, this was a lot of fun, Lindsay. I'm glad we talked about this. And yeah, I think, I think it's time to go.

[A]

It's time to go, Michelle. We'll wrap it up for today, guys. We'll see you in the next episode. Michelle, thanks for being here.

[B]

Thanks, YouTube. Bye, Lindsay.

[A]

Bye. Thanks for listening to all ears. English. Would you like to know your answer? English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore and if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

[C]

Mike and Alyssa are always trying to outdo each other. When Alyssa got a small water bottle, Mike showed up with a 4 liter jug. When Mike started gardening, Alyssa started beekeeping.

[A]

Oh, come on.

[C]

They called a truce for their holiday and used Expedia trip planner to collaborate on all the details of their trip. Once there, Mike still did more laps around the pool.

[B]

Whatever.

[C]

You were made to outdo your holidays. We were made to help organize the competition. Expedia made to travel.

[D]

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