TBH
TBH (abbreviation) means to be honest: used in messages and online posts to introduce a frank opinion, often one that is slightly critical or unexpected. Example: “TBH I didn't think the film was that good.”
How to Use TBH
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for "to be honest" — a way of flagging that you're being blunt.
Informal; ubiquitous in texting and social media, out of place in professional writing.
Lower-case tbh is more common than capitals in casual chat, and it often replaces a comma rather than a full sentence.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ I didn't think the film was that good.
Etymology
An initialism of "to be honest".
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TBH and NGL?
Both soften a frank statement. TBH ("to be honest") introduces a candid opinion; NGL ("not gonna lie") more often introduces an admission the speaker finds slightly embarrassing. NGL is the more casual and more recent of the two.
What is the difference between TBH and IMO?
IMO ("in my opinion") marks a statement as personal opinion and is fairly neutral. TBH signals that you are being blunt or saying something the other person may not want to hear, so it carries more social weight.
Where do you put TBH in a sentence?
Either end works. At the start it warns that honesty is coming; at the end it softens what you have just said, like a shrug. Mid-sentence use is rare.