to tell the truth

bend the truth

To change or leave out certain facts of a story or situation, generally in order to elicit a specific response in the audience.

don't tell me

Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.

economical with the truth

Not telling the whole truth, especially in order to present a false image of a situation; untruthful; lying. Often used with sarcasm or satire.

God's honest truth

Unquestionable, absolute truth.

grain of truth

Synonym of kernel of truth.

I can tell you

Emphasises the truth of a statement.

I tell a lie

I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.

I tell you

Synonym of I can tell you.