Idioms

be economical with the truth

be economical with the truth

To be deceitful; to lie. I wouldn't trust him—everyone says he's economical with the truth. When I walked into a house full of teenagers, I knew that my kids had been economical with the truth when they said they'd only invite a few friends over. I know you're being economical with the truth to protect your friends, but I need to know what really happened that night.
See also: economical, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
The same old lies, slurs and exaggerations will be trotted out, politicians will be economical with the truth and every promise will come with an unspoken caveat.
We don't want spin, we don't want political posturing and we don't want the chancellor to be economical with the truth.
But recent press reports have quoted some of her family and former friends as suggesting she can be economical with the truth - and that she changes details depending upon circumstances.
"But the more the electorate expects, the more likely it is that politicians will be economical with the truth.
Mr Bate: "Why be economical with the truth about the medication?"
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