Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

stretch-the-truth

idiom
/strɛtʃ ðə truːθ/
Definition
To exaggerate or embellish the facts about something, often for the purpose of making a situation seem better or more interesting than it really is.
Examples
  • When he was asked about his vacation, he tended to stretch the truth, claiming he had seen dolphins swimming right next to his boat.
  • She stretched the truth a bit when she said she could run a marathon without training.
Meaning
Stretching the truth involves altering details to create a more favorable impression or story, particularly in casual conversations or storytelling.
Synonyms
  • exaggerate
  • embellish
  • inflate
  • misrepresent
  • enhance