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Truth, Secrecy, & Deception - Lying & Exaggeration

Explore English idioms regarding lying and exaggeration, including "spin a tale" and "economical with the truth".

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English idioms relate to Truth, Secrecy, & Deception
to [be] full of (shit|crap)

(of a person) to be perceived as being dishonest or deceptive

Ex: I can't believe you're buying his story; he's always full of shit. 
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to [be] full of it

to tell things that are completely untrue or foolish

Ex: My friend tried to play it off as a late birthday gift, but I knew she was full of it. 
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pack of lies
pack of lies
[phrase]

any statement that is not true at all

Ex: The defendant's alibi was proven to be a pack of lies when multiple witnesses provided contradictory evidence. 
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tall tale
tall tale
[noun]

a story that a person cannot believe because it seems illogical or exaggerated

Ex: After dinner she told me a tall tale about her pet. 
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to [talk] through the back of {one's} neck

to exaggerate a lot about something

Ex: The politician's speech was filled with empty promises and nonsensical statements; it was as if he was talking through the back of his neck. 
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white lie
white lie
[noun]

a small lie that does not cause any harm, especially told to avoid making someone upset

Ex: She told her friend a white lie about liking her new haircut, not wanting to hurt her feelings. 
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to [put] on the dog

to behave in a pretentious way to prove one is rich or fashionable

Ex: She always puts on the dog when attending formal events, wearing expensive designer gowns and jewelry. 
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to [toot|blow] {one's} (own|) horn

to praise one's own abilities or accomplishments, often in an exaggerated way

Ex: She isn't shy about tooting her own horn at meetings. 
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to [shoot] a line about {sth}

to lie, exaggerate, or boast about something

Ex: He loves to shoot a line about his fishing adventures, but we all know he rarely catches anything. 
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to [spin] a (tale|story|yarn)

to tell a story that is exaggerated or completely made up

Ex: The grandfather sat by the fireplace, spinning tales of his youthful adventures to his eager grandchildren. 
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to [lie] like a (cheap|) rug

to tell lies in an obvious way

Ex: He lied like a cheap rug when confronted about his involvement in the scandal, denying any knowledge despite clear evidence against him. 
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to [lie] through {one's} teeth

to tell something that involves no truth

Ex: He lied through his teeth when confronted about his whereabouts, claiming to have been at home when he was actually out partying. 
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hot air
hot air
[noun]

a statement that is untrue, exaggerated, or meaningless

Ex: The politician's speech was filled with hot air, making promises that were never fulfilled. 
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to [blow] smoke up {one's} [ass]

to use fake praise that makes a person feel good about themselves in order to trick them

Ex: I don't send emails blowing smoke up their asses. I am genuine in everything I say. 
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full of beans

not in any way truthful

Ex: If that's what he's been saying, then he's full of beans. 
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economical with the truth

telling only part of the truth or being vague in speech

Ex: She suspected her friend was being economical with the truth when he offered a vague explanation for his sudden change in behavior, leaving out important details. 
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to [live] a lie

to have a life that is built on lies and deception

Ex: Despite being unhappy in their marriage, she chose to live a lie and pretended everything was perfect to avoid societal judgment. 
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to [lie] {one's} way (into|in|) {sth|}

to get out of an unfavorable situation or obtain something by telling lies

Ex: He lied his way into a well-paid position. 
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to [over-egg] the pudding

to make something appear more significant, intense, or dramatic than it actually is

Ex: The politician was known for his tendency to over-egg the pudding in his campaign promises. 
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