white lie
A deliberately untrue statement which is intended to produce a favorable result; especially, one which is judged to be better than an overhonest alternative, as for example to remain polite in a superficial social exchange, or to choose one's battles.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I told a white lie to avoid hurting her feelings.”
“When my host asked if I liked the meal, I told a white lie and said it was delicious.”
“Though he prided himself on honesty, he occasionally told a white lie to keep the peace at family gatherings.”
- 01
devil lies in the details
Synonym of devil is in the details.
- 02
give the lie
To respond to an insult, accusation, or falsehood by saying the offender is lying, particularly in the context of provoking a challenge to a duel.
- 03
give the lie to
To reveal or prove (something) to be false; to refute.
- 04
I can't lie
To be honest, frankly, honestly.
- 05
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.
- 06
let a sleeping dog lie
Alternative form of let sleeping dogs lie.
- 07
let sleeping dogs lie
To leave things as they are; especially, to avoid restarting or rekindling an old argument; to leave disagreements in the past.
- 08
lie at someone's door
To be the fault or responsibility of someone.
Last updated August 10, 2026