tall story

tall story

A story that is greatly exaggerated or particularly imaginative, such that it is difficult to believe; a tall tale. My uncle has always been fond of telling tall stories about his time overseas. I used to believe him when I was a kid, but now I've learned to just laugh along.
See also: story, tall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a ˌtall ˈstory

(especially British English) (American English usually a ˌtall ˈtale) a story which is very difficult to believe: What she says about her grandfather being a foreign prince sounds like a tall story to me. There were many tall tales told later about the events of that day.
See also: story, tall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a tall story
  • a tall tale
  • tall tale
  • be fond of (someone or something)
  • fond
  • fond of
  • fond of (someone or something)
  • tell (something) to (one)
  • tell to
  • all sweetness and light
References in periodicals archive
The Albert Tower of Middlesbrough - despite all the photographic "evidence" - was just another April Fool's tall story.
Did tower fool you?
WHOPPER: The big burger TALL STORY: Sultan Kosen, 8ft 1in, from Turkey, stands next to Josh Henderson, from West Horsley, at the GWR announcement.
Size is important
I had always known there was a tiger in Holmfirth, but to anyone not familiar with the district it must have seemed like a tall story. I was very lucky I didn't have to look through the caravan door, I was able to go in.
Letter: Memories of Fenella
Either way, she makes a great tall story. Thanks to reader Stephen Walls, of Bishopton, Renfrewshire, who sent this in to win this week's tenner.
When little met large
FULL REGALIA: One of the performers at last year's Brouhaha BEAT THIS: Dummers join in the fun SUMMER FUN: The parade brings music and colour to the city centre TALL STORY: Stiltwalkers will be part of the parade
A splash of colour
Missing episodes by title include: Little Boy Tall Story, If The Dunce's Cap Fits, Clitheroe's Castle, The Kid Who Framed Himself and Right Off The Target.
Letter: Mailbag - Calling Clitheroe fans
Episodes include: Little Boy Tall Story, If the Dunce's Cap Fits, Clitheroe's Castle, The Kid Who Framed Himself and Right Off the Target.
Letter: YOUR SHOUT - Searching for 'Kid' shows
Above: A tall story. Jake, aged two and a half, peers over the door and has a good laugh.
cute st kids; pounds 10 winner
GET ready for a tall story: He's only a year old, is still being bottle-fed, but stands 9ft tall.
Baby giraffe is zoo's new darling
SOMETIMES when a player rattles out a tall story you've just got to believe him I've no idea how I got on the end of that.
Football: TALKING A GOOD GAME
Was it an experiment, or a local tall story? Write to Viewpoints at the address below.
Viewpoints: Turning the heat on road-users?
TALL STORY Calzaghe says height's a factor ROUGH GUY Froch says Hatton's too strong
BIG GUNS BACK RICKY
TALL STORY: Designer Rachel Whitfield (left) with her designs - a lot of black, with flashes of bright colours (AC270508Duniv-10.JPG)
Sinister inspiration behind Rachel's designer creations; Fashion & health
IT might be a tall story, but 37-year-old Phil Mickelson claims he has grown over the past few years, and that it has negatively affected his putting.
Golf: Mickelson hoping to hit new heights of putting!
TALL STORY: Oscar, voiced by Will Smith, in Shark Tale
GO:CINEMA:WATCH THIS SPACE