3B

When someone says 'in all honesty' do you ever think they use this before saying a dishonest statement?

In all honesty, I personally only ever use the phrase when I am being honest and earnest - especially when wanting to stress a given feeling or opinion.
I have seen it written however that it can be used as a ploy by people who are not being totally honest.
So, you pays your money and takes your chance... Depends on if you know the person well enough whether you can believe them or not. Difficult when conversing with a stranger.

I think you use 'in all honesty' when you are saying something that might be disappointing or upsetting, and you want to soften its effect by emphasizing your sincerity.

I often wonder about this and I think people do use it in different ways. Some to cover when they are lying others to stress what they are saying specially where it can be confrontational or contentious.

I don't necessarily think they say it before saying something dishonest. I think Eadie is right that it's often used to cushion what's coming next.

I agree about people using it as a cushion. Mostly when you have just exhausted all other avenues of getting the point across about how you feel about a situation.

>3 EadieB: I agree. I don't view it as "everything I've said previously was a lie, but this will be the truth"