C2idiomformalcommunicationIELTS-friendly
be economical with the truth
USUK
to leave out important facts or tell only part of the truth
A polite, often ironic, way to say someone is lying. Common in British politics and news.
In context
The estate agent was economical with the truth about the noise from the bar downstairs.
I suspect the company has been economical with the truth about the delays.
More idioms about communication
- a bone of contentiona subject that people keep arguing about
- a broken recordsomeone who keeps repeating the same thing in an annoying way
- a heart-to-heartan honest, private conversation about personal feelings
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- a red herringa fact or idea that takes attention away from the real issue