# draw the long bow

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/draw-the-long-bow
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.

## Examples

- He often draws the long bow when telling stories about his fishing trips.
- I think he is drawing the long bow when he claims he met a famous actor at the local grocery store.
- While his account of the expedition was entertaining, the seasoned explorers knew he was drawing the long bow regarding the size of the creatures he encountered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.