What does TBH mean? In this lesson, you will learn the definition and how to use this text abbreviation with ESL infographic and useful conversation examples in English.
TBH Meaning
What Does TBH Mean?
“TBH” means “to be honest.”
The phrase “TBH” can be used quite often throughout the day.
People who use this phrase often put it at the beginning or the end of a statement. It shows that the user is expressing their honest opinion about the subject.
Similar internet slang words
Similar expressions include “JBH” or “just being honest,” “LBH” or “let’s be honest,” and “TBBH” or “to be brutally honest.”
In the past, most people used this expression when delivering some information that might upset or offend another person. The implication is that the person saying something isn’t trying to hurt the feelings of the other person, but they are expressing their honest opinion.
Lately, the phrase has taken on a different meaning among younger Instagram users. They see “TBH” as a way to give compliments to others. Some have also said this can be interpreted as, “to be heard.”
Conversation Examples
Here are a few examples:
Example 1:
- Co-worker 1: I’m so glad they changed the submission process for our weekly reports. It made no sense.
- Co-worker 2: TBH I’m surprised they didn’t do it sooner. I think it was a long time coming!
In this situation, we have a conversation between two co-workers. Co-worker 1 is talking about a recent change in the procedure at their office. Co-worker 2 uses TBH to show that she is expressing her honest opinion about the situation.
Example 2:
- Friend 1: Hey, Alice looks nice today, right?
- Friend 2: She looks like she could use a nap, tbh. Maybe she’s working too hard?
Here have two friends talking about their other friend, Alice. Friend 1 compliments Alice on her appearance. Friend 2 uses TBH to show she is not trying to say anything bad about Alice, but that she is stating her honest opinion about her appearance.
Example 3:
- Social media post: Here are my pics from this summer vacation. Like and comment for a TBH!
This is an example of a social media post using “TBH.” In this situation, the poster asks for other users to like her content and leave a comment in return for a “TBH.” Here we see that this texting abbreviation is used as a noun or something the other person can give. If people like her content, she will give her honest opinion about them. Unlike the previous examples, the opinion expressed here is meant to be a positive comment about the people who like her content.
Other Meanings
- Texas Beyond History
- Top-Bar Hive
- The BrotherHood
- Triple Banana Hammock
- To Be Hired
- Trumpet Behavioral Health
- Together By Heart
- Tindersen Blacktree Hoopdriver
- To Be Hit
- Tail Bearing Housing
- Ten Bucks an Hour
- The Best Husband
- The Big House
TBH Meaning Infographic
Other Ways to Say TBH
- If I can speak my mind …
- Allow me to speak my mind …
- Actually …
- As it happens…
- Honestly/ frankly speaking…
- Honestly…
- I’m going to lay it on the line …
- As a matter of fact …
- In all fairness …
- If truth be told …
- If I’m perfectly honest …
- To be frank …
- The truth of the matter is…
- Let’s be/make it clear
- To tell the truth …
- Frankly …
- I’m just going to come right out and say it …
- Truthfully…
- I’m only telling you this because I care about you …
- If I shoot from the hip …
- With all due respect …
- If I’m being honest…
- In actual fact …
- In all honesty …
- In all sincerity…
- In fact …
- Let me set the record straight …
- Let’s be fair …
- Let’s put the whole truth out there
- Let’s set the record straight
- To be fair…
- To put it frankly/bluntly…
- Truth to be told…