English idiom
economical with the truth
Example
“The spokesperson was economical with the truth about how many complaints the agency had received.”
Dictionary details
Component words
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
moment of truth
CEFR B2the decisive point when reality or the final outcome becomes clear
cry wolf
CEFR B1to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored
name names
CEFR B1to identify specific people, especially those linked to wrongdoing or secrecy
take someone's word for it
CEFR B1to believe what someone says without asking for evidence
tell it like it is
CEFR B1to describe a situation frankly, without softening or hiding the truth
the whole story
CEFR B1all the facts about a situation, including ones not yet known
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.