stretch the truth

stretch the truth

To tell or explain something in such a way that, while not technically false, presents an exaggerated or misleading version of the truth. It would be stretching the truth to say that our company has been very successful, but we've managed to get by for the past few years. Everyone stretches the truth about their skills and experiences when they apply for new jobs.
See also: stretch, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stretch the truth

 and stretch the point; stretch it
Fig. to exaggerate. When he claimed to have a Ph.D., he was stretching the truth. Sally tends to stretch the point when telling tales about her wild teenage years.
See also: stretch, truth
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • stretch it
  • keep (something) in proportion
  • blown (all) out of proportion
  • a tall tale
  • tall tale
  • yes and amen
  • puff piece
  • ricockulous
References in periodicals archive
This makes it even easier to stretch the truth about fishing success.
Do restaurants stretch the truth of the cuisine they offer?
If you ever thought 'What if ...' before you began to write or wanted to 'Stretch the truth' to make your writing more interesting then, as Andy would say, 'This is the book for you.'
Other key findings show that 65% percent of advisors say clients most often stretch the truth about living within their means, followed by 44% saying that clients fudge the facts on just how much debt they have.
"We couldn't," pressed an advertising gal called Jemma, "stretch the truth and say they're being given Tzinga energy drinks.
Now we all know Santa is real, it's just we stretch the truth a bit.
When imperfect people face pressure to close sales, they invariably stretch the truth. Unfortunately, this hurts everyone around them:
If you're not that good, or can't stretch the truth as well, don't try it.
Meanwhile, of the women who stretch the truth, 45 percent claim to have a far more glamorous job than the one they actually do.
Tom Taaffe, trainer of Stretch The Truth "It's his first handicap and I'm a little concerned about two miles around Tramore being too sharp for him.
While every mayor should be against illegal guns--or illegal drugs or anything else that falls outside the law-MMG is really a poorly veiled anti-gun coalition whose real goal is to grab all guns, not just the illegal ones.And, true to anti-gunners tendency to stretch the truth, MAIG uses outright lies to dupe the public.
A LOT ABOUT DAVY CROCKETT IS LEGEND THAT MAY STRETCH THE TRUTH A MITE.
Drew Rosenhaus may stretch the truth on occasion but is the king of pumping up those he represents.
Today's top tips Y CYMRO Fakenham: 1.00 Pipers Legend, 1.30 Morestead, 2.00 Evening Sunset, 2.30 Busker Royal, 3.00 Satindra, 3.30 Stretch The Truth Folkestone: 12.40 Comprimario, 1.10 Aegean Dawn, 1.40 No Panic, 2.10 Lindy Lou, 2.40 William Bonney, 3.10 You Can Of Course, 3.40 Goodwill Phil Southwell: 12.20 Diamond Blade, 12.50 Taper Jean Girl, 1.20 SOLICITOR (NAP), 1.50 Thewinnatakesitall, 2.20 Clear Sailing, 2.50 Iron Out, 3.20 Guildenstern, 3.50 Beat The Shower ALAN KEYTE Solicitor (nap) 1.20 Southwell SOLICITOR can lay down the law at Southwell.
TOMORROW'S TOP TIPS FAKENHAM: 1.00 Pipers Legend, 1.30 Morestead, 2.00 Ashes Summer, 2.30 Cast Cada, 3.00 Satindra, 3.30 Stretch The Truth FOLKESTONE: 12.40 Comprimario, 1.10 Aegean Dawn, 1.40 Edgeover, 2.10 Lindy Lou, 2.40 William Bonney, 3.10 Hello My Lovely, 3.40 Eight Palms SOUTHWELL: 12.20 Diamond Blade, 12.50 Taper Jean Girl, 1.20 SOLICITOR (NAP), 1.50 Thewinnatakesitall, 2.20 Clear Sailing, 2.50 Iron Out, 3.20 Guildenstern, 3.50 Beat The Shower DOUBLE: Solicitor and Cast Cada