honest to goodness
/ˈɑnɪst tə ˈɡʊdnəs/
adjective
- Genuine, real, and simple; not fake or artificial.
- This is an honest-to-goodness family recipe passed down for generations.
- She's an honest-to-goodness hero who saved three people from the fire.
- We had an honest-to-goodness thunderstorm last night, not just a drizzle.