White lie

Meaning

The idiom "white lie" refers to a small or seemingly harmless lie that is told for the purpose of sparing someone's feelings, avoiding conflict, or avoiding embarrassment. It is often used in situations where telling the truth could be uncomfortable or damaging to someone else. The term comes from the idea of lying for the sake of preserving one's reputation, as white lies are generally seen as less harmful than more significant lies.

Usage

• When my boss asked why I didn't finish the report on time, I told him that I had a family emergency and couldn't work on it. That was a white lie, but I didn't want to disappoint him or explain the real reason behind it.
• My friend accused me of stealing her necklace, but I knew she was just joking around. I decided to play along and tell her that I had found it in my bag by mistake. That was a white lie, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings or appear untrustworthy.
• My son asked if he could stay home from school because he wasn't feeling well, but I knew he was just trying to avoid going to class. I told him that he was allowed to stay home, knowing that it was a white lie.
• When my colleague accidentally sent me an email with confidential information, I didn't want to embarrass him or reveal sensitive data. I quickly responded by saying that I had seen something similar before and didn't think anything of it. That was a white lie, but I wanted to preserve his professional reputation.
• My girlfriend asked if I thought she looked fat in this dress, and I told her that she looked beautiful as always. While I wasn't lying per se, I was being kind and not wanting to hurt her feelings. That was also a white lie.

Roots and History

The term "white lie" has been used in English since the 19th century and is believed to have originated from the idea of telling a small or seemingly insignificant lie to maintain one's reputation or standing in society. The term comes from the idea that white lies are less harmful than more significant lies, as they often involve minor deceptions or embellishments. Over time, the idiom has become increasingly common and is now used widely in contemporary language.

Synonyms in English

• Little fib
• Tiny lie
• Soft lie
• Gentle untruth
• Polite fabrication

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "petit mensonge" - A small, seemingly harmless lie.
• Spanish: "blanca mentira" - A white lie, often used to avoid conflict or embarrassment.
• Italian: "bianca menzogna" - A white lie, telling a truth that is not the whole truth.
• German: "weißer Lüge" - A white lie, often used in polite social situations.
• Arabic: "الكذيبة الصغيرة" - A small lie, often used to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

Similar Idioms

• wind up

• take for a ride

• buffer zone