white lie

noun

1. a minor, polite, or harmless lie; fib.

white lie

noun

1. a minor or unimportant lie, esp one uttered in the interests of tact or politeness

Idioms and Phrases

An untruth told to spare feelings or from politeness, as in She asked if I liked her dress, and of course I told a white lie . This term uses white in the sense of “harmless.” [First half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

“These prosecutors bought Grace’s white lies, her big lies and all her pretty little lies,” said Chaudry during her closing statement.

From Los Angeles Times

But Chaudhry said her client was the victim of “white lies, big lies, and pretty little lies” invented by Jabbari to exact revenge on an unfaithful partner.

From Seattle Times

She added, “These prosecutors bought Grace’s white lies, her big lies and all her pretty little lies,” she said.

From Salon

Other celebrities who have also lied about their backgrounds range from Hilaria Baldwin, Alec Baldwin's wife, who literally has a whole subreddit dedicated to documenting all her white lies about her background.

From Salon

Those checks were rudimentary: With a click and a white lie, anyone could pass.

From New York Times