Meaning

"Give it to me straight" means "tell me the truth directly, even if it's bad." You say it when you suspect someone is softening the news or going around in circles to protect your feelings. The picture is a straight line: no curves, no detours, from their mouth to your ear.

It is informal and direct, and it gives the other person permission to be blunt. You'll hear it with doctors, mechanics, managers and friends who are worried. It is not rude, but it does ask for honesty in a strong way. If you're the one giving the news, you can still be kind while being direct: say the key fact first, then the next step. Other ways to say it: "Be honest with me" and "Don't sugarcoat it."

In a conversation

EmmaWei
  1. Emma
  2. Wei
  3. Emma
  4. Wei
  5. Emma
  6. Wei

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Emma interrupts Wei and says "Give it to me straight." Why?
2Which phrase means about the same thing?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. Stress "straight". Say it calmly and firmly, not angrily.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.