to be sure

to be sure (comparative more to be sure, superlative most to be sure)

1. (idiomatic) Certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly.

   I don't hate him. To be sure, we're not best buddies, but hate is a strong word.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292:

     They call themselves gentlemen, I warrant you; but, as my first husband used to say, they should remember it is we that pay them. And to be sure it is very hard upon us to be obliged to pay them, and to keep 'um too, as we publicans are.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses, episode 13,

     But to be sure baby was as good as gold, a perfect little dote in his new fancy bib.

• absolutely, by all means, unquestionably

• to be honest
• to be fair
• to be frank

• to be sure at OneLook Dictionary Search

• tuberose