(little) white lie

(little) white lie

A lie thought to be insignificant and justified, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or giving offense. I try to be honest most of the time, but I do tell white lies when I'm worried about upsetting people. A: "Do you actually like her new haircut?" B: "Of course not, but I couldn't tell her that, so I told a little white lie instead."
See also: lie, white
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

little white lie

Fig. a small, usually harmless lie; a fib. Every little white lie you tell is still a lie and it is still meant to mislead people.
See also: lie, little, white
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

white lie

An untruth told to spare feelings or from politeness, as in She asked if I liked her dress, and of course I told a white lie. This term uses white in the sense of "harmless." [First half of 1700s]
See also: lie, white
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a white lie

If you tell a white lie, you say something which is untrue, often in order to protect someone or to avoid upsetting someone. I said she looked nice, thinking it kinder to tell a white lie. I believe that this is a case where a little white lie is really more appropriate than the truth.
See also: lie, white
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a white ˈlie

a small or harmless lie that you tell to avoid hurting somebody: When she asked me if I liked her new dress I had to tell a white lie. I thought it looked awful, but I couldn’t say so!
See also: lie, white
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a white lie
  • little white lie
  • not the half of
  • not the half of it/(something)
  • nothing burger
  • one or two
  • loose change
  • don't spend it all in one place
  • What do you want, a medal?
  • mean nothing to (one)