twisting the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twisting the truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of distorting or manipulating facts to suit one's agenda or narrative. Example: "The politician was accused of twisting the truth to gain public support for his controversial policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's good propaganda: twisting the truth for the war effort.

The Guardian - Film

Our campaign quickly aired an ad in which McCain accused Bush of "twisting the truth like Bill Clinton".

The New York Times

And like all wars, it has propaganda twisting the truth, while the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not to be outdone in twisting the truth and kowtowing to Communists, Republican investors and the Asia establishment assure us that only by abandoning yearly review of China's rights abuses and diplomatic conduct can we encourage democracy there.

The New York Times

But a closer look at those prosecutions, Benjamin Weiser writes, reveals something that has not been trumpeted: more than 20 cases in which judges found police officers' testimony to be unreliable, inconsistent, twisting the truth or just plain false.

The New York Times

"This sounds like someone is twisting the truth for her own agenda," said Chief Chapman, who was chief of patrol in New York and is now the police chief in Bridgeport, Conn.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

His ad twists the truth like Clinton.

The New York Times

They cannot rely on paid advertising to twist the truth.

The New York Times

On an inhale, twist the truth of what actually led to your breakup.

The New Yorker

"There will always be someone who comes along who wants to twist the truth".

The New Yorker

But others dismiss him because he was part of an administration that often twisted the truth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing rhetoric, consider the speaker's intent. Is the person "twisting the truth" to mislead, persuade, or simply present a biased view?

Common error

While "twisting the truth" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "bending the truth" or "distorting the facts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twisting the truth" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it accurately describes the act of distorting or manipulating facts. Its use in contexts such as news articles and political commentary indicates its common function in discussions of deception and misinformation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twisting the truth" is a commonly used phrase that describes the act of distorting facts, often with the intent to mislead. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it often carries a negative connotation due to its association with deception. For variety, consider using alternatives such as "bending the truth" or "distorting the facts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bending the truth

Emphasizes a slight alteration of facts without a complete fabrication.

distorting the facts

Highlights the alteration of facts from their original state.

misrepresenting the truth

Focuses on presenting an inaccurate or false version of events.

manipulating the truth

Suggests intentional control and alteration of facts for a specific purpose.

fabricating the truth

Implies creating a false narrative from scratch.

coloring the truth

Suggests adding subjective elements to alter the perception of facts.

shading the truth

Similar to coloring, but implies a more subtle alteration.

playing fast and loose with the truth

Indicates a careless or dishonest approach to factual accuracy.

massaging the facts

Implies gentle but deliberate manipulation of facts.

perverting the truth

Highlights a severe distortion or corruption of facts.

FAQs

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

You can use "twisting the truth" to describe someone distorting facts to mislead others, as in "The politician was accused of "twisting the truth" to gain support".

What's the difference between "twisting the truth" and "bending the truth"?

"Twisting the truth" often suggests a more deliberate and significant distortion, while "bending the truth" implies a slighter, less malicious alteration of facts.

What are some synonyms for "twisting the truth"?

Synonyms for "twisting the truth" include "distorting the facts", "misrepresenting the truth", and "manipulating the truth".

Is "twisting the truth" a formal or informal expression?

"Twisting the truth" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in news articles and everyday conversation.