be 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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • economical
  • 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 a chase
References in periodicals archive
The same old lies, slurs and exaggerations will be trotted out, politicians will be economical with the truth and every promise will come with an unspoken caveat.
How to cope with the election
We don't want spin, we don't want political posturing and we don't want the chancellor to be economical with the truth.
Show us your hand, Darling; ECHO
But recent press reports have quoted some of her family and former friends as suggesting she can be economical with the truth - and that she changes details depending upon circumstances.
Letter: The BIG issue - He Wossn't cruel
"But the more the electorate expects, the more likely it is that politicians will be economical with the truth.
P0LITICIANS ARE LIARS; Startling verdict of a three year research project by Scots scientist
Mr Bate: "Why be economical with the truth about the medication?"
REM star denies inventing pill story; COURT