to speak openly
7
3.4
- phrasal verb
:
hablar abiertamente
- During the group's early sessions, Andrea spoke openly about her strained relationship with her brother, with whom she lived.
I've chosen to speak openly with my children and what I told them is what I'm going to tell you all.
- I've chosen to speak openly with my children and what I told them is what I'm going to tell you all.
- And the way that happens is with us speaking openly about it being OK to want to make more money and to want to spend more money.
- This is a conversation we once had when as a society, we still spoke openly of public housing, public funding, public planning, and the public good.
- And so it's more essential than ever for them to be able to live for America to allow these people to speak openly.
Examples
-
As a result, women are being empowered to speak openly about such issues.
Academic text (2004) -
The arrests appear to have had a chilling effect on the ability of MPs to speak openly.
Academic text (1994) -
We want to hear you speak openly about this to the state of California!
-
In this case, you can speak openly to your host and try to find a solution.
Blog text (23) -
How are religious communities going to become more open if no one steps forward and speaks openly?
Academic text (2001) -
So these sessions are here to provide a forum for people to speak openly about their experiences.
-
They're very open to, you know, hearing what's not going right and having that trust to be able to speak openly about those things.
-
I've chosen to speak openly with my children and what I told them is what I'm going to tell you all.
-
Gouverneur Morris was one of the few delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who spoke openly against slavery.
Blog text (4) -
As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.
Synonyms
814
2.7
Say what really happened without hiding facts or lying
220
3.4
To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult
149
2.9
Begin to talk honestly about your thoughts and feelings
135
3.1
Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult
40
6.2
Tell someone the truth about something difficult
21
3.5
Say what you think openly
9
3.7
Say something honestly and with strong feeling
5
8.1
To tell someone your private feelings or secrets openly
3
7.8
To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble
1
7.7
Speak very directly without trying to be polite
Antonyms
How Open
- Informal
1
7.5
7
3.4
108
4.2
- Informal
1
7.5
76
2.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to talk candidly and honestly' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'speak' (to use words) with 'openly' (in a transparent, honest manner). This is a straightforward verb + manner-adverb composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Speak openly creates a simple picture: someone speaks like an open book, showing thoughts and facts with nothing hidden. So, it means 'to talk honestly and without hiding feelings or facts'.