Tell it like it is (5)
I believe the answer is:
level
'tell it like it is' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for level that I've seen before include "Having a flat, horizontal surface" , "Straight, even" , "Steady, flat, floor" , "Horizontal plane - a palindrome" , "Flat, even" .)