a small fib

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small fib" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor or trivial lie, often in a light-hearted or non-serious context. Example: "When asked if I liked her cooking, I told a small fib and said it was delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A small fib found out will undermine your credibility totally.

WikiHow

Teach him that even a small fib can turn into a big lie that can hurt a lot of people.

WikiHow

Even if its a small fib, it can turn out to be a large lie that could really hurt this person's feelings, Don't make promises you cant keep.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Changing the criterion to an admission BE <-10 mmol/L produced a low FIB rate of 89% and a critical FIB rate of 78%.

Critical Care

For most parents, small fibs like these are a no-brainer.

The Washington Post

These can range from small fibs because perfect control is difficult to huge whoppers when no attempt is made to correct for other factors well known to be important.

Forbes

If so, I could live with a little fibbing.

The New York Times

TER cells appear morphologically similar to FIB cells with a small nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and a flattened stellate shape distinctly different from IPSCs (Fig. 1A C).

Plosone

For a small volume (50 × 50 × 30 μm3), FIB-SEM approach provides an efficient and automatic way to get the 3D ultrastructure of specimen with a higher axial resolution in comparison to serial section-based techniques and SBF-SEM (Peddie and Collinson 2014; Li et al. 2016).

Biophysics Reports

They called theirs the Lies, Fibs and Deceit Edition and ran a picture of a small dog being thrown into a garbage truck on the cover.

Vice

At this point, a small adhering olivine grain (subsample RB-QD04-0042-01) was removed from the main grain and attached to a copper FIB-TEM grid by using the internal micromanipulator of the FIB-SEM workstation in combination with Ga+ ion beam-assisted platinum deposition.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small fib", consider the context and whether a more direct or honest approach might be more appropriate, even if slightly uncomfortable. Overusing euphemisms can erode trust.

Common error

Be careful not to normalize dishonesty by repeatedly referring to lies as "a small fib". Even minor untruths can have unintended consequences or create a pattern of deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small fib" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It describes a minor untruth. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts where the intent is to downplay the severity of the lie.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small fib" refers to a minor or trivial lie, often used to soften the impact of the word "lie". As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, although its frequency is rare. It is commonly used in news, media, wiki and science. While often considered harmless, it's crucial to be mindful of the potential consequences of any untruth, regardless of its size. Alternatives such as "a little white lie" or "a minor deception" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little white lie

This alternative emphasizes the harmless intent behind the untruth.

a minor deception

This phrase focuses on the act of deceiving, but in a less serious way.

a trivial untruth

Highlights the insignificance of the lie.

a slight misrepresentation

This is a more formal way to describe a small lie, suggesting that the truth has been slightly altered.

a harmless falsehood

Similar to 'a little white lie', this emphasizes the lack of harmful intent.

a petty prevarication

Uses more formal language to describe a trivial lie.

a tiny fabrication

This suggests that the lie has been constructed or made up.

a bit of a stretch

Implies that the truth has been bent or exaggerated slightly.

an innocent exaggeration

Suggests that the lie involves making something seem more significant than it is, but without malicious intent.

a half-truth

Indicates that the statement contains some truth but is incomplete or misleading.

FAQs

How can I use "a small fib" in a sentence?

"A small fib" is often used to describe a minor, harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to simplify a situation. For example: "I told "a small fib" about why I couldn't attend the party."

What is an alternative to saying "a small fib"?

Alternatives to "a small fib" include "a little white lie", "a minor deception", or "a trivial untruth". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always acceptable to tell "a small fib"?

While "a small fib" is often considered harmless, its acceptability depends on the situation. In some cases, honesty is always the best policy, even if it's uncomfortable. Consider the potential consequences before choosing to tell "a small fib".

What's the difference between "a small fib" and a regular lie?

The main difference is the perceived severity and intent. "A small fib" implies a minor untruth told with good intentions, whereas a regular lie can be more serious and involve malicious intent or significant consequences. However, it's important to remember that any lie, regardless of size, can erode trust.