Economical with the truth Meaning in English

expression

US

ek-uh-NOM-ih-kuhl with thuh TROOTH

UK

ee-kuhn-OM-ih-kuhl with thuh TROOTH

Definition

To be 'economical with the truth' means to deliberately not tell the whole truth; to hide, leave out details, or be slightly dishonest without directly lying.

Usage & Nuances

This is a polite, often ironic or humorous British-English phrase. It can sound formal or slightly sarcastic, used when someone avoids being fully honest. Commonly said in political or public contexts. Not as direct as calling someone a liar.

• Spanish: discreto con la verdad - poco sincero - no decir toda la verdad
• Portuguese (BR): econômico com a verdade - omitir a verdade - não contar toda a verdade
• Portuguese (PT): económico com a verdade - omitir a verdade - não contar toda a verdade
• Chinese (Simplified): 对事实有所保留 - 没有全说实话
• Chinese (Traditional): 對事實有所保留 - 沒有全說實話
• Hindi: सच्चाई के साथ किफायती - पूरी सच्चाई न बताना
• Arabic: اقتصد في الحقيقة - لم يقل الحقيقة كاملة
• Bengali: সত্যের ব্যাপারে কৃপণ - সত্য পুরোপুরি না বলা
• Russian: не договаривать правду - обходить правду
• Japanese: 真実を控えめに言う - 真実を隠す
• Vietnamese: nói giảm sự thật - không nói hết sự thật
• Korean: 진실을 아끼다 - 진실을 일부러 말하지 않다
• Turkish: doğruyu ustaca gizlemek - gerçeği eksik söylemek
• Urdu: سچ چھپانا - سچائی کو جزوی طور پر بیان کرنا
• Indonesian: menghemat kebenaran - tidak sepenuhnya berkata jujur

Example Sentences

He was economical with the truth about why he left his job.

basic

The politician was economical with the truth during the interview.

basic

She was economical with the truth about how much the dress cost.

basic

Let's just say he was economical with the truth about his grades.

natural

People accused her of being economical with the truth, but she said she just didn't want to worry anyone.

natural

You could say he was a bit economical with the truth when describing what really happened last night.

natural