60+ Idioms For Lying With Meanings And Examples

Lying is a common human behavior, and the English language has developed many expressive idioms to describe it in creative and memorable ways. Instead of directly saying someone is dishonest, people often use figurative phrases that paint a clearer picture of deception, exaggeration, or half-truths. These idioms for lying add color and depth to everyday conversations, making language more engaging and meaningful. From harmless white lies to deliberate deceit, these expressions help us understand not only what is being said, but also the intent behind it.

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What are Idioms for Lying?

Idioms for lying are expressions in English that describe dishonesty, deception, or exaggeration in a figurative way rather than saying someone is lying directly. These idioms use imagery and indirect language to show how the truth is hidden, twisted, or avoided. Commonly used in conversations, stories, and media, idioms for lying help make communication more expressive while also revealing attitudes toward truth and trust.

Everyday Used Idioms for Lying

Bend the truth
Meaning: To slightly change facts to make them sound better
Example: He bent the truth about why he was late.
Tell a white lie
Meaning: To lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings
Example: She told a white lie about liking the gift.
Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or lie playfully
Example: I wasn’t serious, I was just pulling your leg.
Make up a story
Meaning: To invent a lie
Example: He made up a story to avoid trouble.
Stretch the truth
Meaning: To exaggerate facts
Example: She stretched the truth about her achievements.
Feed someone lies
Meaning: To deliberately deceive someone
Example: The company fed customers lies.
Spin a yarn
Meaning: To tell a long, often exaggerated story
Example: He spun a yarn about his adventures.
Cover up the truth
Meaning: To hide facts
Example: They tried to cover up the truth.
Blow smoke
Meaning: To say things that aren’t true or are misleading
Example: Don’t listen to him, he’s blowing smoke.
Cry wolf
Meaning: To lie so often that no one believes you
Example: He cried wolf too many times.
Give a false impression
Meaning: To mislead without directly lying
Example: Her silence gave a false impression.
Fabricate the facts
Meaning: To invent false information
Example: The report fabricated the facts.
Lie through one’s teeth
Meaning: To lie blatantly
Example: He lied through his teeth.
Put on a false front
Meaning: To pretend to be something you’re not
Example: She put on a false front at work.
Lead someone astray
Meaning: To misguide or deceive
Example: He led the team astray.
Tell tall tales
Meaning: To tell exaggerated lies
Example: He’s known for telling tall tales.
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: To trick someone
Example: They tried to pull the wool over my eyes.
Fake it
Meaning: To pretend something is true
Example: He faked his illness.
Sell a lie
Meaning: To convince others of a falsehood
Example: She sold the lie convincingly.
Gloss over the truth
Meaning: To hide unpleasant details
Example: He glossed over the mistake.
Cook up a lie
Meaning: To invent a lie
Example: She cooked up a lie quickly.
Put words in someone’s mouth
Meaning: To falsely claim someone said something
Example: Don’t put words in my mouth.
Tell porkies
Meaning: British slang for lying
Example: He’s telling porkies again.
Play fast and loose with the truth
Meaning: To be careless with honesty
Example: The article played fast and loose with facts.
Deceive someone
Meaning: To trick or mislead
Example: He deceived his friends.
Twist the truth
Meaning: To change facts dishonestly
Example: She twisted the truth.
Fake the facts
Meaning: To invent information
Example: The data was faked.
Pass off a lie as truth
Meaning: To present falsehood as fact
Example: He passed off a lie as truth.
Hide the truth
Meaning: To keep facts secret
Example: They hid the truth.
Tell lies
Meaning: To speak falsely
Example: He told lies repeatedly.
Stretch the facts
Meaning: To exaggerate
Example: He stretched the facts.
Put on an act
Meaning: To pretend
Example: She put on an act of innocence.
Con someone
Meaning: To trick or scam
Example: He conned people out of money.
Tell a fib
Meaning: A small lie
Example: She told a fib to her parents.
Cover one’s tracks
Meaning: To hide evidence of lying
Example: He covered his tracks carefully.
Make false claims
Meaning: To lie publicly
Example: The ad made false claims.
Say something untrue
Meaning: To lie
Example: He said something untrue.
Put up a smokescreen
Meaning: To distract from the truth
Example: The excuse was a smokescreen.
Lie by omission
Meaning: To lie by leaving out details
Example: He lied by omission.
Paint a false picture
Meaning: To misrepresent reality
Example: The report painted a false picture.
Give fake excuses
Meaning: To lie about reasons
Example: He gave fake excuses.
Trick someone
Meaning: To deceive
Example: She tricked him easily.
Mislead someone
Meaning: To guide wrongly
Example: The guide misled tourists.
Disguise the truth
Meaning: To hide reality
Example: He disguised the truth.
Say what isn’t true
Meaning: To lie
Example: She said what wasn’t true.
Tell a half-truth
Meaning: A statement that’s partly true
Example: He told a half-truth.
Put on a show
Meaning: To pretend
Example: He put on a show of confidence.
Feed false information
Meaning: To provide lies
Example: The source fed false information.
Make misleading statements
Meaning: To lie indirectly
Example: The speech was misleading.
Mask the truth
Meaning: To hide facts
Example: He masked the truth well.

Unique & Rare Idioms for Lying

Palter with the truth
Meaning: To lie by using selective truths
Example: The witness paltered with facts.
Speak with a forked tongue
Meaning: To be deceitful
Example: He spoke with a forked tongue.
Equivocate
Meaning: To avoid telling the truth
Example: She equivocated during questioning.
Prevaricate
Meaning: To delay or lie indirectly
Example: He prevaricated to avoid answering.
Snow someone
Meaning: To overwhelm with lies
Example: The salesman snowed customers.
Throw dust in someone’s eyes
Meaning: To confuse or mislead
Example: He threw dust in their eyes.
Gaslight someone
Meaning: To manipulate someone into doubting reality
Example: He gaslighted her constantly.
Talk out of both sides of one’s mouth
Meaning: To contradict dishonestly
Example: He talks out of both sides of his mouth.
Give a cock-and-bull story
Meaning: A ridiculous lie
Example: That excuse was a cock-and-bull story.
Lie low
Meaning: To hide after deception
Example: He lied low after the scandal.

Lying Idioms in Books & Media

Bend the truth
Meaning: Slight dishonesty
Example: Used in political dramas.
White lie
Meaning: Harmless lie
Example: Common in romantic films.
Cry wolf
Meaning: Lose credibility
Example: Found in Aesop’s fables.
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: Trick someone
Example: Used in novels and movies.
Smoke and mirrors
Meaning: Illusion or deception
Example: Used in crime shows.
Tall tales
Meaning: Exaggerated stories
Example: Seen in folklore.
Forked tongue
Meaning: Deceit
Example: Used in fantasy novels.
Half-truth
Meaning: Partial lie
Example: Common in courtroom dramas.
False front
Meaning: Fake appearance
Example: Seen in thrillers.
Web of lies
Meaning: Complex deception
Example: Used in mystery novels.

Synonyms & Related Words for Lying

Synonym	Meaning
Deceit	The act of hiding the truth or misleading someone intentionally.
Dishonesty	Behavior that involves lying, cheating, or lack of truthfulness.
Falsehood	A statement that is not true.
Fabrication	Something invented or made up, especially a story or excuse.
Deception	The act of making someone believe something that is not true.
Misrepresentation	Giving a false or misleading account of something.
Pretense	Claiming something that is not true.
Fraud	Intentional deception for personal gain.
Trickery	Clever or dishonest actions used to deceive others.
Untruth	A lie or something that is not accurate.

Tips for Using Lying Idioms in Writing & Speaking

Match the idiom to the situation
Use mild idioms like white lie for harmless situations and stronger ones like lie through one’s teeth for serious dishonesty.
Avoid overusing idioms
Too many idioms can confuse readers or listeners. Use them sparingly for stronger impact.
Consider your audience
Some idioms may be too informal for professional or academic writing.
Use idioms to show emotion, not just facts
Lying idioms often reveal attitude, suspicion, or disbelief, so use them to add depth to your message.
Learn the tone of each idiom
Some lying idioms are humorous, while others are harsh. Choose wisely to avoid sounding rude.

Idioms Quiz for Lying

What does “bend the truth” mean?
A) Tell the full truth
B) Slightly change facts
C) Stay silent
D) Confess honestly
Answer: B
A “white lie” is told to:
A) Harm someone
B) Gain money
C) Avoid hurting feelings
D) Confuse people
Answer: C
If someone “cries wolf,” they:
A) Tell the truth once
B) Lie too often
C) Stay quiet
D) Apologize
Answer: B
“Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” means:
A) Help someone
B) Trick someone
C) Teach someone
D) Ignore someone
Answer: B
What does “spin a yarn” suggest?
A) Sewing clothes
B) Telling an exaggerated story
C) Speaking honestly
D) Asking questions
Answer: B
“Lie through one’s teeth” means:
A) Whisper
B) Joke
C) Lie blatantly
D) Stay calm
Answer: C
A “half-truth” is:
A) Fully honest
B) Completely false
C) Partly true but misleading
D) A joke
Answer: C
If someone “puts on a false front,” they:
A) Show honesty
B) Pretend to be someone else
C) Admit a lie
D) Stay silent
Answer: B
“Tell tall tales” means:
A) Speak briefly
B) Tell boring stories
C) Tell exaggerated lies
D) Read aloud
Answer: C
What does “blow smoke” mean?
A) Be silent
B) Speak clearly
C) Mislead or exaggerate
D) Tell secrets
Answer: C

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FAQs

Idioms for lying are phrases that describe dishonesty, deception, or exaggeration using figurative language rather than literal meanings.

They help express complex ideas about truth and dishonesty more clearly and naturally, especially in conversations and storytelling.

Yes, many idioms like bend the truth or white lie are frequently used in everyday speech, movies, and books.

A lie is generally dishonest, while a white lie is usually told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

Most lying idioms are informal and best suited for conversations or creative writing, though some may appear in opinion pieces or narratives.

Reading examples, watching movies, practicing in sentences, and using them in conversation helps reinforce their meanings.

Conclusion

Idioms for lying add depth, color, and clarity to the way we talk about dishonesty in everyday English. Instead of directly calling someone a liar, these expressions allow us to describe exaggeration, deception, half-truths, and manipulation in a more vivid and relatable way. From harmless white lies to serious acts of deceit, lying idioms help us understand not only what was said, but the intention behind it. By learning and using these idioms correctly, you can improve your comprehension of conversations, books, movies, and media while also making your own speaking and writing more expressive, natural, and engaging.