home truth

American  

noun

1. an indisputable fact or basic truth, especially one whose accuracy may cause discomfort or embarrassment.

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home truth British  

noun

1. (often plural) an unpleasant fact told to a person about himself

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home truth Idioms  

1. A key or basic truth, especially one that is discomforting to acknowledge. For example, It's time you told a few home truths here, such as where your campaign finances actually came from. This expression uses home in the sense of “the very heart of a matter.” [c. 1700]

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Etymology

Origin of home truth

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Clarke also told me he was ready for some hard home truths about his moves.

From BBC

"There are some basic home truths that don't need an awful lot of research to come to a conclusion that they're not really viable," argued Prof Siegert.

From BBC

This Twickenham test, against the form team in Europe, will deliver some home truths about the distance between where England are and where they aspire to be.

From BBC

"You are going to tell them some home truths sometimes and they might be upset with them, but not completely berating them down to nothing."

From BBC

BBC Sport's Six Nations pundits reveal their desert island nightmares, their alternative career ambitions, and some brutal home truths.

From BBC