- A euphemism, often used humorously or sarcastically, meaning lying, omitting important facts, or deliberately being misleading.
- It implies someone is saving or using the truth sparingly, like one might be economical with money.
Explanation
Origin
- Popularized in 1986 during the Spycatcher trial in Australia, used by British Cabinet Secretary Sir Robert Armstrong. When asked if a letter contained a lie, he famously responded it contained a misleading impression and that it was perhaps being economical with the truth.
- The phrase itself existed earlier but gained widespread recognition and its specific connotation of deliberate deception through omission or careful wording from this event.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
More Direct/Blunt:
- Lying
- Deceiving
- Misleading
- Dishonest
- Full of shit (vulgar)
- Bullshitting (vulgar)
Softer/More Indirect:
- Not telling the whole story
- Leaving things out
- Bending the truth
- Stretching the truth
- Putting a spin on it
Formal:
- Disingenuous
- Prevaricating
- Misrepresenting the facts
Situational Appropriateness
- Can be used in informal or semi-formal contexts.
- It's a somewhat formal-sounding phrase often used ironically.
- Useful for accusing someone of dishonesty without using blunt words like liar, though the implication is usually clear.
- Common in political commentary and media.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- A non-native speaker might take economical literally and be confused. The ironic, euphemistic nature is key. It always implies dishonesty or deception, not actual thriftiness with facts.
Examples
- The salesman was being rather economical with the truth about the car's history.
- Asked directly if he broke the vase, the child was economical with the truth, saying 'it just fell'.
- Politicians are often accused of being economical with the truth.
Dialogue
Alice: Did John tell you why he missed the meeting?
Bob: He said he had a prior commitment he couldn't break.
Alice: Hmm, that sounds a bit... economical with the truth. I saw him heading towards the golf course around that time.
Bob: Ah, I suspected as much.
Social Media Examples
- Political tweet: The minister's statement seems rather economical with the truth regarding the budget shortfall. #Politics #Spin
- Consumer advice post: Watch out for ads that are economical with the truth about hidden fees. #ScamAlert #ReadTheFinePrint
- Book review: The narrator is unreliable, constantly being economical with the truth, which makes the mystery compelling. #BookReview #Thriller
Response Patterns
- Recognition of the euphemism: Ah, so they lied?
- Agreement: Yes, that's a polite way of putting it.
- Request for clarification: What did they actually say? / What did they leave out?
- Skepticism or cynicism.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Asking for the full, unvarnished truth.
- Expressing distrust towards the person being described.
- Discussing the specific details that were omitted or misrepresented.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe someone's communication or behavior within a conversation.
Intonation
- Often delivered with a dry, ironic, or slightly critical tone.
- Emphasis can be placed on economical to highlight the sarcastic understatement.
Generation Differences
- More likely to be used and recognized by those familiar with its political origin or who appreciate subtle/ironic language (often Gen X and older), but generally understood.
Regional Variations
- Well-known in the UK, Australia, and Canada due to its origins. Also understood in the US, though perhaps slightly less common than in Commonwealth countries.