Tell the truth.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to communicate information to someone that is not a lie. It's like saying, Please communicate information to someone that is not a lie.

Choice of Words: Tell means to communicate information to someone. Truth is the opposite of a lie. When you put them together, "Tell the truth" means to communicate information to someone that is not a lie.

Alternative Expressions

Be honest.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to tell the truth and not lie. It's like saying, Please do not say things that are not true.

Choice of Words: Be is a verb that describes a state of existence or being. Honest means to be truthful and not lie. When you put them together, "Be honest" is a command asking someone to speak the truth and not lie.

Don't lie.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to not lie. It's like saying, Please do not say things that are not true.

Choice of Words: Don't is a contraction of the words "do" and "not". Lie means to say something that is not true. When you put them together, "Don't lie" is a command asking someone to not say things that are not true.

Related Expressions