What does the slang abbreviation TBF mean? Sometimes, you may want to play the devil’s advocate when you hear a story or have to defend yourself against an unfair claim. We’ve all been there. There may be times when we can see both sides of the picture, while other times, we can’t wrap our minds around anything but our own personal opinion. In these situations, “TBF” works great.
TBF Meaning
What Does TBF Mean?
“TBF” means “to be fair”. It’s used when you want to admit you see the point someone is trying to make, but you want to make sure that another idea or version is also considered. It could be that someone is saying something bad about someone and you’re wanting to point out that it’s not all bad. Or it could be that you’re having to defend yourself against an untrue, or wild, claim.
Similar Slang of “TBF”
In place of “to be fair”, some people use “TBH” or “to be honest”. A play on this will be “TBFH” or “to be fu**ing honest”. “TBTFH” = “to be totally fu**ing honest.” If you’re sticking with “to be fair”, you could use “TBTF” – “To be totally fair” or “TBTFF” – “To be totally fu**ing fair”. You can also alternate “fair” and “frank” so that you get “to be frank” meaning “to be honest”. “TBFAH” is “to be absolutely fu**ing honest”.
Other meanings of “TBF”
“TBF” is one of those acronyms that has a lot of different meanings.
- Trying but failing
- Try but fail
- The (bf) boyfriend
- Tumblr (bf) best friend
- To be freaky
- To be frank
- Toilet bowl fart
- Titties be flopping
- Telepathic best friend
- Turbo blazing fast
- Temporary (bf) boyfriend
- Tits by fat
- Throwback Friday
- The Bass Federation
- Too fu**ing busy
- Turbo blazing fast
Conversation Example
Example one using “TBF” as “to be fair”
- Kady: omg wtf I got a D in Mr. Arnold’s class
- Zoey: TBF you don’t do any work and you never pay attention
- Kady: fu I do as much as everyone else
- Zoey: Not me. I got an A
- Kady: Kissass
- Zoey: Nah. I’m scared of my mom beating my ass
- Kady: holy I didn’t’ think about that. I’m dead
- Zoey: nice knowing you
Analysis
This is a conversation between two students that I actually got from my daughter, who really did get into trouble with her report card because she doesn’t pay attention or do her work. And yes, she is now unofficially “dead” until her next report card. As long as her grades pull up, she can return to the land of technology. If not, she stays in the dark ages.
Zoey is using “to be fair” to point out that although the result is dire, it’s a fair grade because Kady did not fulfill the requirements she needed to get a good grade. Using “to be fair” is like playing devil’s advocate. You may not like hearing what someone has to say if they’re using “TBF” but they’re pointing out a fallacy that you haven’t noticed or refuse to accept.
TBF Infographic
Last Updated on March 31, 2023