Explanation of "White Lie"
Definition:
A "white lie" is a small, unimportant lie that someone tells to avoid hurting another person's feelings or to be polite. It is not meant to cause harm and is often considered acceptable in social situations.
Usage Instructions:
Use "white lie" when talking about a situation where someone tells a harmless lie to make someone feel better or to avoid awkwardness.
It is often used in contexts where honesty might lead to hurt feelings or discomfort.
Example Sentences:
Simple Example: "When she asked if I liked her new dress, I said yes, even though I didn’t. It was just a white lie to make her feel good."
Contextual Example: "Telling your friend that their cooking is great, even if it’s not, can be seen as a white lie."
Advanced Usage:
In more complex discussions, you might encounter phrases like "socially acceptable white lies," which refer to lies that society generally tolerates because they serve a social purpose.
In business or diplomacy, the term can be used to describe lies that are told to maintain harmony or avoid conflict.
Word Variants:
Adjective Form: "White-lie" can be used as an adjective, e.g., "It was a white-lie situation."
Noun Form: "White-lies" can be used to refer to multiple instances, e.g., "We all tell white lies sometimes."
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
Minor deception
Little fib
Tactful untruth
Innocent lie
Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Idiom: "Bending the truth" - This means to stretch the truth a little, similar to telling a white lie, but can imply a slightly larger lie.
Phrasal Verb: "Cover up" - This means to hide the truth, but it's often used in contexts where the lie is more serious than a white lie.
Summary:
A "white lie" is a small, harmless lie that is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings. It is considered polite in many situations and is a common part of social interactions.