a kernel of truth

a kernel of truth

A singular element of truth or wisdom within a greater story, narrative, speech, or claim, especially when most or all other elements are fictitious or of questionable veracity. I think the governor's speech is a bunch of hogwash by and large, but there is a kernel of truth in what he said about the need for lower taxes.
See also: kernel, of, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • kernel
  • nugget of truth
  • nugget
  • nugget of information
  • nugget of wisdom
  • street smart
  • boosiasm
  • boosiasms
  • krudzu
  • kudzu plot
References in periodicals archive
OK, there might be a kernel of truth in there but I can't help but think that with those views Joanna would be about as welcome at a party as a Black Lace compilation CD.
THE saintly Joanna Lumley has [...]
I THANK Geoffrey Bulmer for his kind words (A Kernel of Truth, 1.9.11) in regard to my continuing railing against the obscenity that is the EU.
Snouts in the trough; Your say
Dr Jason Rentfrow added: "We found the stereotypes people have of music fans have more than a kernel of truth.
iTunes test 'reveals our personality' MUSIC
"Bubbe meises" is Yiddish for old wives' tales, but they typically contain a kernel of truth. Rabbi Isaacs provides clarification on such topics as basic Jewish beliefs, ethics, observances, expressions, and opinions about Jews.
Bubbe meises; Jewish myths, Jewish reality
Examining one of the cores, Gore recalls the scientist with him pointing at the core and saying something along the lines of "see fight here, this is where Congress passed the Clean Air Act." As with his Internet claims, there is likely a kernel of truth here.
Hot air: an Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's new documentary about global warming, is intriguing, but fails to convince in the end
From how careers directly conflict with family objectives to daycare delusions and the realities of divorce and marriage, prepare to be amazed--and uncover more than a kernel of truth.
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex, and Feminism
The popularity of The Da Vinci Code has spawned endless speculation about whether there's a kernel of truth in this work of fiction: Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene have a "relationship" in the romantic sense?
Will the real Mary Magdalene please stand up?
Some within the DoD acquisition community are fond of saying "If it ain't funded, it ain't." There is a kernel of truth here, a partial truth, but we recommend adding the word "yet" to the end of that statement, or maybe "as far as you know." The thing is, the cynicism and tunnel vision of the "if it ain't funded" attitude is extremely limiting.
The Rogue Program Management Art of War: Ward & Quaid's excellent 8 1/2 Axioms; All the exaggerations are right, if they exaggerate the right thing. (G. K. Chesterton "on Gargoyles")
Dangerous ground, I know, and he did go rather too far, but there's a kernel of truth in Boris Johnson's thesis about Liverpool.
Review: Brothers backs the Boris idea; Blood Brothers Hippodrome, Birmingham
Then I've got some bad news: Each of those records, while containing a kernel of truth, is mostly the product of Hollywood hype.
Titanic numbers
As the trial unfolds, it becomes apparent that there is a kernel of truth to them, but that it has been twisted to suit the political purposes of his opponents.
Humanism and the paradox of politics