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.

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.

white lie, a

A fib told out of politeness, to spare feelings, or for a similar reason. The term is intended to distinguish between such a fib and a black lie, considered heinous dishonesty. A 1741 issue of Gentleman’s Magazine stated, “A certain Lady of the highest Quality . . . made a judicious distinction between a white Lie and a black Lie. A white Lie is That which is not intended to injure any Body in his Fortune, Interest, or Reputation, but only to gratify a garrulous Disposition, and the Itch of amusing People by telling them wonderful Stories.” However, warned William Paley in Moral Philosophy (1785), “White lies always introduce others of a darker complexion.”
See also: white
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (little) white lie
  • 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?
References in periodicals archive
| Can little white lies about the ice-cream van lay the groundwork for more toxic lies in the future?
Sweet little lies; 'When the ice cream van plays a tune, it means they've sold out' is the top fib parents tell their children. LISA SALMON asks the experts why mums and dads are such hypocrites about telling lies 'When the ice cream van plays a tune, it means they've sold out' is the top fib parents tell their children. LISA SALMON asks the experts why mums and dads are such hypocrites about telling lies
It's no secret that White Lie has sparked more than its share of controversy.
Marketing matters
"People practice white lies as a way to manage relationships," News.com.au quoted Professor Teo as saying.
Lying to boss or client can be good for your business
Getting a part in a Kevin Spacey pantomime was relatively easy for one of Wales' leading actresses - she just told a few white lies. Don't think it's the first time that Joanna Page has told a tall tale to get a job, and it's not going to stop her.
Star fibbed to get panto part (oh yes she did!)
Psychologists believe that myths and harmless white lies stimulate young brains, helping children to develop language skills and making them more creative, perhaps even more sensitive.
Hilarie Stelfox column
The landscape may have drastically changed over the past decade, contemporaries have come and gone, consumerism constantly evolving but White Lies fans have remained as fervent and committed as ever both in the UK and Internationally.
White Lies are on top form... that's the truth
Summary: White lies, broken promises, fabrication, deceit and plagiarism...
1.65 lies on average a day
IT'S been a decade since White Lies released their debut album, which went to No1.
WHITE TAKE ON LIFE; WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? Band credit friendship and steering clear of rock 'n' roll lifestyle for their success as they release fifth album 2008 of a when easier "In hear so
| White Lies play The Olympia, on West Derby Road, Liverpool, on Thursday, February 7.
White Lies call at Olympia as part of European tour; PREVIEW: MUSIC White Lies The Olympia, Liverpool
There is much to love in Little White Lies. Sawyer is endearing and sarcastic at the same time, and the supporting characters are complex and entertaining.
Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. Little White Lies
[USA], Aug 14 (ANI): Academy award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro is all set to reteam with writer Oliver Stone for his next turn in the director's chair, 'White Lies'.
Benicio Del Toro to star in 'White Lies'
you see in the dark (43% - although, to be fair, there is some truth to this, actually!) 2 SANTA has a naughty list, you have to be on your best behaviour (38%) 7 THE ice cream van playing a tune means they've run out of ice cream (11%) 8 IF YOU watch TV all day, your eyes will swell up/ go square (25%) 3 YES, we are nearly there (38%) 4 SANTA is watching you at all times (28%) 5 IF YOU don't go to sleep soon, the tooth fairy won't come (28%) 11WE CAN'T play this game as the computer iPad is broken 8%) 10CUTTING your hair makes it grow quicker (9%) YOU won't like it (21%) 6 IF YOU don't finish your dinner, Santa won't visit this year (7%) 12IF YOU eat any fruit seeds, the fruit will start growing in your body Is it OK to tell white lies?
Sweet little lies; From getting children to finish their dinner to bribing them to be good, it seems there are lots of reasons parents tell little porkies, as LISA SALMON reveals
Seventeen-year-old honors student Coretta White's Tumblr: Little White Lies (her witty thoughts on pretty much everything) has gone viral.
Little White Lies
DESPITE OUR EFFORTS, THE ERASURE OF MINORITY CULTURES--A PRODUCT OF COLONIALISM--CONTINUES, AND THIS HAPPENS NOT JUST ON A SOCIETAL LEVEL BUT ALSO WITHIN INDIVIDUALS WHO BATTLE AGAINST THE CUSTOMS AND CONVENTIONS THAT 'MARK' THEM, THIS FIGHT AGAINST SELF AND SOCIETY IS AT THE CORE OF WHITE LIES, WHICH DEPICTS ONGOING OPPRESSION AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY FOR REDEMPTION, WRITES SARAH WARD.
Dark truths and White Lies
| Rating: 9/10 WHITE LIES - BIG TV IN JANUARY 2013, White Lies revealed their third album would be their "most melodic yet".
albums