leaving the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving the truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is departing from honesty or reality, often in discussions about deception or denial. Example: "In his speech, he was leaving the truth behind, opting instead for a more palatable version of events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In March of last year, the bureau pulled the plug on the project, leaving the truth about the most high-profile year for police killings in US history – the truth about fatal police violence – to discarded spreadsheets, bad numbers and acronymed taskforces with little to show.

The Guardian

Part of the ceremony in which he received the doctorate in theology from the Sorbonne was a vow, made before the altar of the Holy Martyrs, "that we will give our life before leaving the truth undefended".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But, in leaving matters to the Senate, he left the truth open to debate.

The New Yorker

"When Attorney General Gonzales and Karl Rove left office in a blur, they left the truth buried in their documents," Mr. Siegelman said, referring to Alberto R. Gonzales.

The New York Times

But, if so, where did that leave the truths taught in my Sunday School?

Huffington Post

Since he seems not to question that the UK would remain attached to the single market, even after formally leaving the EU, the truth is that his bargaining power is not great.

BBC

As described by Andrew Hanson of the Los Angeles Times, "'Peter' is exactly what Fringe needs to be" for the show to distinguish itself from others like The X-Files, in that it teased hints of the episode's reveal in earlier shows, and followed through by revealing the truth, leaving the viewer wanting to know even more.

Wikipedia

Asked whether the success of science does not depend on the reductionist method, which allows soluble problems to be tackled first while leaving the harder whole truths for later, he said the approach had dangerous consequences.

The New York Times - Science

The proof involves the technique of filtration which is designed to collapse an LTS to a finite model while leaving invariant the truth or falsity of certain formulas.

SEP

If Sweetie's eccentricities, which so up-ended its first audiences at Cannes, still seemed to be intensely believable, Holy Smoke's postmodern approach somehow leaves the real truth a little way behind.

The Guardian - Film

A pop-punk drum fill, galloping AM rock chords, and splashes of space reverb give way to Martsch ticking off all the indie tropes worth harmonizing: "And now we settle for this complicated metaphor / And leave the simple truth unsaid"; "I knew when I woke up / Rock and roll will be here forever" ; "I'll be fine in Idaho, America in the twenty-first century".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving the truth" when emphasizing a deliberate move away from facts, often to obscure or misrepresent a situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates a conscious choice to abandon honesty.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving the truth" in informal conversations or casual writing. Its somewhat formal tone is better suited for serious discussions, reports, or analyses where the abandonment of truth has significant implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving the truth" functions primarily as a verbal phrase acting as a predicate within a clause. It typically describes an action or state of departing from or abandoning factual accuracy. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving the truth" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a departure from factual accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the phrase appears in various reputable sources, although not with high frequency. It functions as a verbal phrase, often used to critique or analyze situations where honesty is compromised. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards formal and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "abandoning the truth" or "distorting the truth" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance. Use it thoughtfully in contexts where you want to emphasize a deliberate choice to deviate from honesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandoning the truth

Focuses on a complete desertion of truth, highlighting a deliberate act.

forsaking the truth

Implies a more formal or moral abandonment of truth.

departing from the truth

A more formal way of saying someone is not being truthful.

disregarding the truth

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss the truth.

distorting the truth

Emphasizes the alteration of facts rather than a complete abandonment.

sacrificing the truth

Highlights the act of giving up truth for another purpose or gain.

ignoring the truth

Similar to disregarding, but can also imply a passive neglect of truth.

bending the truth

Suggests a milder form of distortion, implying some truth remains.

suppressing the truth

Focuses on actively preventing the truth from being known.

shading the truth

Similar to bending, but suggests a subtle obscuring of facts.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving the truth" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving the truth" to describe a situation where someone is deliberately avoiding or abandoning honesty. For example: "In his testimony, he was "leaving the truth" behind to protect his reputation."

What are some alternatives to "leaving the truth"?

Alternatives include "abandoning the truth", "distorting the truth", or "forsaking the truth" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "leaving the truth" or "abandoning the truth"?

Both phrases are valid, but "abandoning the truth" implies a more complete and decisive rejection of truth, while "leaving the truth" can suggest a more gradual or nuanced departure. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What does "leaving the truth" imply about the speaker's intent?

"Leaving the truth" often implies that the speaker is intentionally misrepresenting facts, perhaps to deceive or protect themselves or others. It suggests a conscious choice to deviate from honesty.