tall tale

Cultural  

1. An exaggerated, unreliable story: “My uncle claims that he was raised in a drainage ditch, but it's just another of his tall tales.”

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tall tale Idioms  

1. A fanciful or greatly exaggerated story, as in Some youngsters love tall tales about creatures from outer space coming to earth. This idiom uses tall in the sense of “exaggerated.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

The preteen’s prank call came after an attorney for Carlee Russell admitted Monday that the Alabama woman spun a tall tale about her own abduction this month — which could also result in criminal charges.

From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2023

His friends never realized the deception, enthralled by his ability to weave a tall tale.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2023

Some regional scholars say this part of the legend may be something of a tall tale.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2022

In 1840, Locke admitted he was the writer, although some historians speculate other authors helped craft the tall tale.

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2022

Just a tall tale from long ago that didn’t have anything to do with me?

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool