# pull the long bow

idiom

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

## Meaning

Synonym of draw the long bow (“to exaggerate; to tell tall tales”).

## Examples

- He likes to pull the long bow when he talks about his fishing trips.
- Everyone knew he was pulling the long bow when he claimed he had met a famous actor at the grocery store.
- The politician was notorious for pulling the long bow, often embellishing his modest achievements until they sounded like heroic feats of statesmanship.

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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.