economical

Related to economical: Economical with the truth

be economical with the truth

To be deceitful; to lie. I wouldn't trust him—everyone says he's economical with the truth. When I walked into a house full of teenagers, I knew that my kids had been economical with the truth when they said they'd only invite a few friends over.
See also: economical, truth

economical with the truth

Not fully truthful; deceitful, often by manipulating language or omitting certain details I wouldn't trust him—everyone says he's economical with the truth. When I walked into a house full of teenagers, I knew that my kids had been economical with the truth when they said they'd only invite a few friends over.
See also: economical, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

economical with the truth

Euph. untruthful. The mayor was known to be economical with the truth. I discovered that my boss had been economical with the truth when she said that the company was making money.
See also: economical, truth
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

economical with the truth

COMMON If someone is economical with the truth, they deceive people by not telling them the whole truth about something. In insisting that no changes had been made to the original plan, his team was being economical with the truth. She received a series of answers which were at best economical with the truth, at worst deliberately designed to deceive.
See also: economical, truth
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

economical with the truth

used euphemistically to describe a person or statement that lies or deliberately withholds information.
The phrase economy of truth was used in the 18th century by the orator Edmund Burke ( 1729–97 ), while in the 19th century Mark Twain observed ‘Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it’ (Following the Equator, 1897 ). The present phrase became current after its use in the ‘Spycatcher’ trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court: Robert Armstrong , head of the British Civil Service, was reported as saying of a letter: ‘It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truth.’
2003 Observer He is ruthless in pursuit of commercial goals, otherwise he would not have been so economical with the truth two months ago when he ruled out any notion of signing Beckham.
See also: economical, truth
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

economical with the ˈtruth

a way of saying that somebody has left out some important facts, when you do not want to say that they are lying: After the trial he admitted that he had occasionally been economical with the truth.
See also: economical, truth
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be economical with the truth
  • economical with the truth
  • forked tongue
  • horse pucky
  • swallow (something) hook, line, and sinker
  • swallow hook, line, and sinker
  • bull pucky
  • bull-pucky
  • pucky
  • lead on a merry chase
References in periodicals archive
Alice Keung, SVP and chief transformation officer, Economical Insurance, said, 'Our Vyne platform gives brokers a new way of doing business with us for personal lines and individually rated commercial autos.
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It is also extremely economical with its one litre engine achieving an average of 62.8mpg - easily beating its closest rival the Suzuki Splash, which does 50.4mpg.
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The diesel engine is more economical but costs an extra pounds 2,400 in the Pop.
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Due to the decreasing of economical resource to destination to school, the economical special resource for "Sport Student Championship Games" in many schools there is not the intention to do education in extra time school.
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In the most economical Focus ECOnetic for example, the tyres are of the low-resistance variety, the suspension has been lowered and the front end restyled to help with aerodynamics; the gearing is stretched slightly to keep the car running at lower revs and in the ultra-economical Focus, there is also a stop/start gadget fitted to the engine so that whenever you come to a halt at traffic lights or in a queue, the engine cuts out once you select neutral.
Don't break the bank with Ford
But be careful; older, cheaper cars are not as economical. Petrols burn more fuel than diesels but diesels can cost more to repair.
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The new Ford Fiesta ECOnetic range starts at pounds 14,962 or a further pounds 300 if you want the five-door version, and whereas the cutbacks have been made to ensure that the Fieta is hugely economical, Ford has not missed out any of the key ''extras'' such as driver, passenger and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, electrically operated front windows and a radio /CD player.
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The Secretary General of The Dawla Party MP Wa'el Abdul Latif stated that "The interferences of the neighboring countries in the next elections are due to political, economical and sectarian motives."<p>Speaking to the National Iraqi News Agency, he said "Some countries wish their allying blocs to win the next elections, while some countries have economical motives as Iraq will be at the forefront of the oil exporters in the coming years."
Latif: Different motives behind foriegn interference in Iraq
Most economical: 118d Best used buy: 1.6 or 2.0 petrols Used Car Expert magazine price guide: A 2004 1.6 M Sport with 31,000 average miles on the clock, will vary around the UK in price from pounds 8500 to pounds 10,704.
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Can you give me some advice on the most economical? - WilliamMolyneux, by email 2 ZENA SAYS: Fan heaters are the most economical.
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Most economical : 1.8 TD Best used buy: 1999 1.4 LX has air conditioning and nippy engine.
A Fiesta on any budget
In "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing: How To Produce And Market Your Book On A Budget", Linda F.
The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing