What means to be economical with the truth?

Definition of ‘be economical with the truth’ to deceive people by deliberately not telling them the whole truth about something. People use this expression when they want to suggest that someone is being dishonest, but do not actually want to accuse them of lying.

Who said being economical with the truth?

Sir Robert Armstrong
The expression comes from a statement given in evidence by Sir Robert Armstrong, British cabinet secretary, in the ‘Spycatcher’ trial (1986), conducted to prevent publication of a book by a former MI5 employee, ‘It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truth. ‘

How do you know if something is economical?

economic/ economical If you want an adjective related to the economy, economic is your word. If you want a word to describe something that saves money, like buying used textbooks, use economical.

What does Approbatory mean?

expressing approval or commendation
Today, however, we mostly use approbation in the looser sense of “approval, admiration, or praise.” The related verb approbate means “to approve or sanction,” and the adjective approbatory means “expressing approval or commendation.”

What does stretch the truth mean?

Definition of stretch the truth : to say something that is not exactly true : to describe something as larger or greater than it really is He was stretching the truth to make the story more interesting.

Do we say economic or economical?

So while economic describes anything economy-related or the success of a business, economical refers to avoiding waste. Economical is probably more commonly used in its opposite form: uneconomical. For example: Driving to work alone is uneconomical if you have a colleague who lives nearby.

Is economy the same as economic?

Basically, economics is the study of an economy, i.e. its structure, condition, working, performance, issues, remedies, etc. On the other hand, an economy indicates a region, a particular area or country, concerning production, distribution, consumption, and exchange of goods and services, and supply of money.

Will not pass muster meaning?

Meet a required standard, as in That yard cleanup won’t pass muster with Mom. This expression originally meant “to undergo a military review without censure,” muster referring to an assembling of troops for inspection or a similar purpose. [ Late 1500s]

What does the word contemptuous?

Definition of contemptuous : manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt.

What does exaggerating the truth mean?

To exaggerate is defined as to stretch the truth or to make something seem bigger than it is. An example of exaggerate is when you catch a two pound fish and say you caught a ten pound fish. verb.

Can we say economical?