white lie

American  

noun

1. a minor, polite, or harmless lie; fib.

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white lie British  

noun

1. a minor or unimportant lie, esp one uttered in the interests of tact or politeness

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white lie Idioms  

1. An untruth told to spare feelings or from politeness, as in She asked if I liked her dress, and of course I told a white lie. This term uses white in the sense of “harmless.” [First half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

"When we arrange pick-ups, we tell a white lie," the staff member said.

From BBC

Spears said on Wednesday that her ex-husband’s “white lies in that book, they are going straight to the bank.”

From Los Angeles Times

Michael has been unable to resist telling a little white lie over the years that he is related to Darren and his famous father, Sir Alex of Manchester United fame.

From BBC

He's previously claimed the track was inspired by a sunset in Malibu, but it turns out that that's a little white lie.

From BBC

“These prosecutors bought Grace’s white lies, her big lies and all her pretty little lies,” said Chaudry during her closing statement.

From Los Angeles Times