We all encounter situations where truth is twisted, sugarcoated, or hidden altogether. Whether it’s a little white lie told to protect someone’s feelings or a more serious betrayal of trust, lying is a part of human communication. But talking about lies doesn’t always have to feel harsh or confrontational. Sometimes, using idioms can help us express uncomfortable truths with warmth, care, and clarity—and even humor.
As a communication coach and lifelong language lover, I’ve seen how powerful idioms can be in navigating sensitive conversations. They offer gentle, empathetic ways to describe deception—whether you’re addressing it directly or reflecting on it in writing, storytelling, or even conflict resolution.
In this article, we’ll explore 30 thoughtfully chosen idioms for lying. Each idiom is presented with its meaning, a sentence example, best use, things to avoid, and other ways to say it. By the end, you’ll have a versatile toolkit of expressive phrases to describe dishonesty in all its shades—with empathy and eloquence.
1. Bend the truth
Meaning: To slightly alter the truth without fully lying.
In a sentence: He didn’t lie outright—he just bent the truth a bit.
Best use: Use when someone changes facts to make a situation seem better.
Not to use: When referring to serious or harmful deception.
Other ways to say: Sugarcoat, stretch the truth, gloss over.
2. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: To deceive someone intentionally.
In a sentence: She tried to pull the wool over his eyes, but he saw through her act.
Best use: When someone is tricked or misled deliberately.
Not to use: For small or unintentional fibs.
Other ways to say: Trick, mislead, deceive.
3. Lie through your teeth
Meaning: To lie boldly and shamelessly.
In a sentence: He lied through his teeth and didn’t even blink.
Best use: Describing confident and blatant lying.
Not to use: When the lie is subtle or accidental.
Other ways to say: Bold-faced lie, outright lie, deliberate dishonesty.
4. Stretch the truth
Meaning: To exaggerate facts.
In a sentence: The article stretched the truth to make the story more exciting.
Best use: When someone is embellishing details.
Not to use: When referring to total falsehoods.
Other ways to say: Embellish, exaggerate, dramatize.
5. Cover up
Meaning: To hide the truth or evidence.
In a sentence: The company covered up the incident to protect its image.
Best use: Discussing concealment of mistakes or wrongdoing.
Not to use: For everyday fibs.
Other ways to say: Hide, conceal, whitewash.
6. Bluff your way through
Meaning: To deceive by pretending to know more than you do.
In a sentence: He bluffed his way through the interview.
Best use: In social or professional scenarios.
Not to use: In cases of deep betrayal.
Other ways to say: Fake it, pretend, wing it.
7. Cry wolf
Meaning: To give a false alarm repeatedly.
In a sentence: If you cry wolf too often, people won’t believe you when it’s real.
Best use: For attention-seeking lies.
Not to use: When someone lies with harmful intent.
Other ways to say: False alarm, exaggerate danger, overstate.
8. Pull a fast one
Meaning: To trick someone sneakily.
In a sentence: He tried to pull a fast one on the manager, but got caught.
Best use: When referring to sly or sneaky actions.
Not to use: When the lie causes serious damage.
Other ways to say: Con, trick, fool.
9. Talk out of both sides of your mouth
Meaning: To give conflicting messages or lie to different people.
In a sentence: Politicians often talk out of both sides of their mouths.
Best use: When someone is being two-faced.
Not to use: For single lies or innocent mistakes.
Other ways to say: Be two-faced, double-deal, contradict yourself.
10. Smoke and mirrors
Meaning: Misleading or deceptive explanation or presentation.
In a sentence: The ad campaign was just smoke and mirrors.
Best use: When referring to illusions or distractions.
Not to use: For personal conversations.
Other ways to say: Illusion, façade, trickery.
11. White lie
Meaning: A small, harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone.
In a sentence: She told a white lie to avoid hurting his feelings.
Best use: When referring to kindness-based deception.
Not to use: When the lie has serious consequences.
Other ways to say: Harmless fib, small untruth, gentle lie.
12. Fib
Meaning: A small and unimportant lie.
In a sentence: The child told a fib about brushing his teeth.
Best use: In casual, low-stakes settings.
Not to use: When addressing deeper dishonesty.
Other ways to say: Little lie, untruth, story.
13. Lead someone on
Meaning: To mislead someone, especially in relationships.
In a sentence: He led her on without any real intention of commitment.
Best use: Romantic or emotional deception.
Not to use: For factual misinformation.
Other ways to say: Misguide, string along, deceive emotionally.
14. Bluff
Meaning: To pretend or deceive, often in games or negotiation.
In a sentence: She was bluffing about her qualifications.
Best use: When confidence is faked.
Not to use: When someone lies maliciously.
Other ways to say: Pretend, fake, posture.
15. Con someone
Meaning: To deceive or cheat someone.
In a sentence: He conned them out of their savings.
Best use: Financial or manipulative deceit.
Not to use: When referring to small or benign lies.
Other ways to say: Swindle, cheat, deceive.
16. Play pretend
Meaning: To act in a way that isn’t real.
In a sentence: They were just playing pretend about being happy.
Best use: When someone is masking the truth emotionally.
Not to use: In legal or factual discussions.
Other ways to say: Fake it, act, go through the motions.
17. Blow smoke
Meaning: To mislead or distract with nonsense.
In a sentence: He was just blowing smoke to avoid answering the question.
Best use: In persuasive or dodgy discussions.
Not to use: When discussing serious lies.
Other ways to say: Distract, mislead, confuse.
18. Live a lie
Meaning: To pretend to be something you’re not.
In a sentence: She was living a lie in her marriage.
Best use: When someone is hiding their true self.
Not to use: For minor fabrications.
Other ways to say: Hide the truth, mask reality.
19. Fake it till you make it
Meaning: To pretend until you achieve success.
In a sentence: He faked it till he made it in his new job.
Best use: Positively framing ambition, not deception.
Not to use: For dishonest motives.
Other ways to say: Pretend confidently, act the part.
20. Spin a yarn
Meaning: To tell a long, imaginative story—often untrue.
In a sentence: Grandpa loved to spin a yarn after dinner.
Best use: In storytelling or light-hearted contexts.
Not to use: For serious accusations.
Other ways to say: Tell tales, invent stories.
21. Talk a big game
Meaning: To boast or exaggerate.
In a sentence: He talks a big game, but rarely delivers.
Best use: In performance or competition.
Not to use: When referring to betrayal.
Other ways to say: Boast, brag, puff up.
22. Build castles in the air
Meaning: To make unrealistic plans or promises.
In a sentence: She’s always building castles in the air.
Best use: Describing wishful thinking.
Not to use: For malicious lies.
Other ways to say: Dream unrealistically, fantasize.
23. Play fast and loose with the truth
Meaning: To be careless about the truth.
In a sentence: He played fast and loose with the truth during the trial.
Best use: When truth is treated casually.
Not to use: For clear-cut lies.
Other ways to say: Be reckless with facts.
24. Take liberties with the facts
Meaning: To present information in a misleading way.
In a sentence: The speaker took liberties with the facts.
Best use: Political or media contexts.
Not to use: In personal or emotional deception.
Other ways to say: Distort facts, misrepresent.
25. Cook the books
Meaning: To falsify financial records.
In a sentence: The accountant was caught cooking the books.
Best use: In financial or business dishonesty.
Not to use: For casual lying.
Other ways to say: Falsify records, commit fraud.
26. Throw a red herring
Meaning: To mislead or distract from the truth.
In a sentence: His excuse was just a red herring.
Best use: In argument or storytelling.
Not to use: When someone is being sincere.
Other ways to say: Distract, mislead, misdirect.
27. Keep up appearances
Meaning: To hide the truth to maintain image.
In a sentence: They kept up appearances despite their struggles.
Best use: Emotional or social concealment.
Not to use: For legal or factual falsehoods.
Other ways to say: Maintain the façade, pretend.
28. Have a hidden agenda
Meaning: To lie or conceal intentions.
In a sentence: He seemed helpful, but had a hidden agenda.
Best use: In politics or manipulation.
Not to use: For open and honest actions.
Other ways to say: Be deceitful, conceal motives.
29. Tell tall tales
Meaning: To tell exaggerated, unbelievable stories.
In a sentence: Kids love to tell tall tales.
Best use: For humor or creative storytelling.
Not to use: When truth matters critically.
Other ways to say: Exaggerate, make up stories.
30. Be economical with the truth
Meaning: To intentionally leave out important details.
In a sentence: He was economical with the truth during the interview.
Best use: When someone withholds rather than lies.
Not to use: For direct falsehoods.
Other ways to say: Omit, be vague, gloss over.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why use idioms for lying instead of plain language?
Idioms allow us to express delicate situations more gently and creatively, softening the impact of serious topics.
2. Are all idioms about lying negative?
Not always. Some, like white lie or fib, carry a lighter tone and even hint at kindness or care.
3. Can I use these idioms in professional writing?
Yes—especially in storytelling, blogs, speeches, or communications that require nuance.
4. Which idiom is best for harmless exaggeration?
Stretch the truth or spin a yarn are perfect for light-hearted or entertaining lies.
5. Are idioms universal?
Many are culturally specific, so it’s good to know your audience. But most of these idioms are widely understood in English-speaking contexts.
Conclusion
Talking about lies is never easy—but with the right words, it can be empathetic, constructive, and even enlightening. These 30 idioms give you a thoughtful, human-centered way to describe deception, whether you’re trying to express hurt, explain a story, or add depth to your writing. Language is powerful, and when used with care, it can help us navigate even the most sensitive truths.
If you’ve ever had to navigate a tricky conversation or reflect on your own honesty, I hope these idioms give you clarity, comfort, and courage.
