Be more convincing in your conversations by learning idioms related to deception, secrecy, and the revelation of truth.
11 topics186 words
Deception20 words
to [pull] the wool over {one's} eyesphraseto hide the truth from someone and make them believe something that is not true
to [bend|stretch] the truthphraseto not be completely truthful about something by changing or omitting some facts
to [blow] smokephraseto try to deceive a person by doing or saying something that misleads or confuses them
to [cook] the booksphraseto illegally change the financial records of a company or organization for personal gain
snow jobnounan attempt to persuade someone to do or believe something using deception or flattery
hook, line, and sinkerphraseused for emphasizing how easily a person is fooled or deceived
to [throw] dust in {one's} eyesphraseto provide someone with false, altered, or misleading information
to [worm] {sth} out of {sb}phraseto make someone reveal information by questioning them repeatedly or cleverly
to [take] {sb} for a ridephraseto deliberately kill a person
to [smell] a ratphraseto begin to feel that there might be something wrong or dishonest about a situation
monkey businessnounbehavior that is mischievous, dishonest, or unacceptable
(as|) crooked as a dog's hind legphraseused to refer to a person who behaves in an untrustworthy or deceitful way
to [lead] {sb} (up|down) the garden pathphraseto make a person believe something that is not true
bait and switchphrasea deceptive marketing tactic where a product or service is advertised at a low price to attract customers, but is then substituted for a more expensive or inferior option
smoke and mirrorsphrasea situation where something seems impressive or important, but is actually just a distraction from something else
to [pull] a fast onephraseto cheat someone in a clever and often unexpected way
free lunchnounsomething that appears free but actually costs something in a hidden or indirect way
copycatnouna person who imitates the actions, clothes, ideas, etc. of someone else
canterbury talenouna story, explanation, or excuse that is hard to believe
take somebody for a ridephraseto deceive a person, often in order to steal their money
Secrecy16 words
fly on the wallphrasesomeone who watches or listens to everything that is happening without anyone noticing their presence
to [pull] the stringsphraseto have control over a person or thing, often in way that is not obvious
under the radarphrasein a way that goes unnoticed or avoids attracting any attention
behind closed doorsphrasein a place where other people cannot see or know about
behind the scenesphrasein a secretive way so that the general public is unaware of what is happening
black booknouna list with contact information of people whom one secretly communicates with
in cahootsphraseused to refer to a situation where two or more people, organizations, etc. are secretly collaborating with each other to do something dishonest or illegal
to [have] designs on {sth}phraseto secretly or dishonestly intend to achieve wealth, power, etc.
to [laugh] up {one's} sleevephraseto secretly take pleasure in something or find it amusing, particularly someone else's problems and misfortunes
like a thief in the nightphraseused to refer to something that happens unexpectedly and without warning or detection
to [groan] inwardlyphraseto remain silent instead of expressing one's disapproval or distress
in league with {sb/sth}phrasesecretly making plans with another individual or group
on the q.t.phraseused to refer to something that is done in a quiet or discreet manner
on the slyphrasein a manner that is inclined to conceal a person's actual feelings and intentions
through the back doorphrasein a manner that is done secretly or subtly, often to achieve a desired result without drawing much attention
dog whistlenouna coded message intended to be understood by a particular group while remaining unnoticed or ambiguous to others
Keeping Secrets21 words
hidden agendanouna secret reason behind a plan or action
between you and mesentencesaid to ask someone to keep a conversation secret
to [breathe|say] a word about {sth}phraseto tell other people what is supposed to stay secret
conspiracy of silencephraseused to refer to an agreement made in order to keep someone from sharing or revealing information that should be otherwise publically known
to [keep] a lid on {sth}phraseto control a situation and stop it from getting worse
to [keep|play|hold] {one's} cards close to {one's} (chest|vest)phraseto refrain from revealing one's true intentions or plans
to [keep] {sth} under {one's} hatphraseto avoid sharing a secret with others
to [keep|stay] schtumphraseto decide to remain silent about something, particularly out of fear of making a situation worse
mum is the wordsentencesaid as a promise or request to not tell something to anyone else
{one's} lips [are] sealedsentenceused when one says that one will not reveal secret information
skeleton in the closetphrasesomething about a person's past that they do not want to reveal or mention because it is embarrassing or unpleasant
these four wallsphraseused to refer to a room, in which a group of people knows or witnesses something that others do not
to [tell] tales (out of|outside) schoolphraseto share information that is secret or private
to [keep] {one's} own counselphraseto keep one's thoughts or plans to oneself and not share them with others
to [keep] {sth} darkphraseto not let other people know about something
(as|) (close|dumb) as an oysterphrasea person who can be trusted with one's secrets
to [cover] {one's} tracksphraseto conceal or destroy evidence of one's activities or whereabouts to avoid detection or punishment
to [paper] over the cracksphraseto try to conceal flaws or problems temporarily, without addressing or solving them properly
to [keep] {sth} under wrapsphraseto keep something secret or confidential and not to reveal it to others
trade secretnouna piece of personal or private information that one refuses to share with anyone
keep a lid on somethingphraseto not let something become revealed to others
Lying & Exaggeration20 words
to [be] full of (shit|crap)phrase(of a person) to be perceived as being dishonest or deceptive
to [be] full of itphraseto tell things that are completely untrue or foolish
pack of liesphraseany statement that is not true at all
tall talenouna story that a person cannot believe because it seems illogical or exaggerated
to [talk] through the back of {one's} neckphraseto exaggerate a lot about something
white lienouna small lie that does not cause any harm, especially told to avoid making someone upset
to [put] on the dogphraseto behave in a pretentious way to prove one is rich or fashionable
to [toot|blow] {one's} (own|) hornphraseto praise one's own abilities or accomplishments, often in an exaggerated way
to [shoot] a line about {sth}phraseto lie, exaggerate, or boast about something
to [spin] a (tale|story|yarn)phraseto tell a story that is exaggerated or completely made up
to [lie] like a (cheap|) rugphraseto tell lies in an obvious way
to [lie] through {one's} teethphraseto tell something that involves no truth
hot airnouna statement that is untrue, exaggerated, or meaningless
to [blow] smoke up {one's} [ass]phraseto use fake praise that makes a person feel good about themselves in order to trick them
economical with the truthphrasetelling only part of the truth or being vague in speech
to [live] a liephraseto have a life that is built on lies and deception
to [lie] {one's} way (into|in|) {sth|}phraseto get out of an unfavorable situation or obtain something by telling lies
to [over-egg] the puddingphraseto make something more complicated than it needs to be
full of beansphrasenot in any way truthful
(over-egg) the puddingphraseto make something appear more significant, intense, or dramatic than it actually is
Obviousness17 words
in broad daylightphraseat a time when everyone can witness something
loud and clearphraseclearly and without causing any confusion
(as|) clear as dayphrasein a way that can obviously be seen or easily understood
in plain (English|language)phrasewritten or stated simply and clearly
a mile awayphrasein a way that is easy to notice or recognize someone or something
under {one's} [nose]phraseused when something is either obvious or within one's field of vision but one does not notice it
to [stick|stand] out like a sore thumbphraseto be noticeably different from other people or things, often in a way that is unpleasant or embarrassing
(as|) plain as a pikestaffphrasenot difficult at all to understand or see
(as|) plain as the nose on {one's} facephrasereally easy to understand or notice
to [stand|stick] out a milephraseto be extremely easy to notice
for all (the world|) to seephrasein a way that everyone can see or know about what is happening
to [stand] to reasonphraseto state that something is logical or reasonable based on the available evidence or common sense
thinly (veiled|disguised)phraseused to refer to something that is poorly hidden
to [have] {sth} written all over itphraseto demonstrate a particular fact or characteristic in a very clear way
written all over {one's} facephrase(a person's emotions or thoughts) clearly visible through their facial expression, body language, or behavior
open secretnounsomething that was supposed to be kept from others but is not anymore
crystal clearadjectiveexpressed or explained very easily and clearly
Pretense20 words
in name (only|alone)phraseused for saying that a person, thing, situation etc. is not actually like what their description, label, or title suggests
to [keep] up appearancesphraseto act and behave as if everything is fine so that others do not find out about one's problems
lip servicenounan insincere offer or promise of support, assistance, etc.
to [put] {one's} money where {one's} [mouth] [is]phraseto take action that proves one's sincerity or commitment to what one has said by investing or spending money on it
wolf in (sheep's|lamb's) clothingphrasean evil person who seems nice and friendly
to [play] deadphraseto fake death by lying on the ground without moving
to [put] on a brave (face|front)phraseto behave in a way that hides one's unhappiness, worries, or problems
to [play] it coolphraseto act calmly in order to hide one's anger, enthusiasm, fear, etc. from others
to [cry] wolfphraseto have a bad reputation of calling for help when one does not really need any, and so making oneself untrustworthy
crocodile tearsnounfake display of feelings of sadness, remorse, or sympathy
butter would not melt in {one's} mouthsentenceused for saying that a person only appears to be nice or innocent, but they are not like that in reality
to [put] on an actphraseto talk or behave in a way that is fake
accidentally on purposephraseused to refer to when someone does something intentionally, but pretends as if it was an accident
stool pigeonnouna person sent into a group as a spy to report on its activities
to [play] possumphraseto pretend as if one is asleep or dead so that others will not bother or attack one
paper tigernounsomeone or something that looks frightening, dangerous, or strong while in reality, they are not
[whistle] in the darkphraseto act as if one is not afraid or worried
to [turn] on the waterworksphraseto begin crying just to get others to sympathize with one or do what one asks of them
champagne taste on a beer budgetsentenceused when someone likes to have things so expensive they cannot possibly afford
to [strike] an attitude of {sth}phraseto purposefully choose to behave in a specific manner to show a specific idea or leave a specific impression
Revealing Secrets15 words
to [let] the cat out of the bagphraseto reveal information that were supposed to be kept secret, often by accident
to [spill] the beansphraseto reveal a secret that one was asked not to tell anyone
(out|) in the openphraseused of a secret that is now shared with others
to [blow] {one's} coverphraseto reveal a person's identity or intentions
to [catch] {sb} in the actphraseto see or arrest a person while they are doing something illegal or wrong
to [catch] {sb} red-handedphraseto arrest or see someone the moment they are doing something that is illegal or dishonest
to [come] out of the closetphraseto no longer keep one's sexual preference or gender identity a secret
to [give] the game awayphraseto reveal something that one was supposed to keep as a secret or surprise
to [lift] the lid on {sth}phraseto cause the truth become revealed, especially an unpleasant one
to [spill] the teaphraseto tell others about what has happened to someone, especially about things that are private or controversial, in the person's absence
to [see] the light (of day|)phraseto become existent or be born
to [call] {one's} bluffphraseto challenge a person to carry out their seemingly fake threats or claims in order to expose them
(out) in the openphraseused of a secret that is now shared with others
come out of the closetphraseto publicly talk about something such as a belief that one used to keep secret
see the light (of day)phraseto be made known publicly
Depth & Surface18 words
chapter and versephrasea report of something with complete or exact details
facts and figuresphrasefull and exact information about something
more than meets the eyephraseused for saying that a person or thing has more of a specific quality than it seems
nightmare dressed like a daydreamphrasea person or thing that looks nice or pleasant but turns out to be very unpleasant or troublesome
poker facenouna facial expression that does not reveal a person's feelings or thoughts
on the face of itphraseused to state that something appears to be true or appealing at first glance
to [scratch|scrape] the surfacephraseto fail to deal with all aspects of a problem, topic, etc.
blessing in disguisephrasea situation or event that seems problematic or unfortunate at first but later results in something positive and pleasant
bird's eye viewphrasea general analysis of something
to [see] the forest for the treesphraseto understand something from a general perspective without getting too involved in details
the devil is in the [detail]sentenceused in a situation where details need to be closely inspecterd or paid attention to
to [dot] the i's and [cross] the t'sphraseto make sure no detail goes unnoticed in compeleting a task
the power behind the thronephrasean individual who posesses great influence over someone who is officially in charge
in broad strokesphraseused to say that something is discussed in a general or basic way, without going into too much detail or specific information
with a fine-tooth combphraseused to imply a very careful and thorough examination of something, often with great attention to detail and a focus on finding even the smallest flaws or errors
deep downphraseused to refer to a person's true feelings or beliefs that they may not openly show
the (big|bigger) picturephrasethe overall view or perspective of a situation, rather than focusing on small details
the half of itphraseused to suggest that a situation or story is more complicated or interesting than what has been revealed or discussed so far
Trust & Honesty22 words
to [walk] the walkphraseto take action based on one's words or beliefs and living up to the standards that one talks about
to [give] {one's} wordphraseto make a firm promise to someone
to [take] {one's} word for itphraseto believe what someone says without needing further proof
benefit of the doubtphrasean assumption based on trust given to a person or thing, even though one is not entirely sure
from (the bottom of|) {one's} heartphrasein an honest or sincere manner
to [shoot] from the hipphraseto not think carefully before saying something or reacting to a situation
to [make] no bones about {sth}phraseto not hesitate to do or say what one truly wants
to [lay] it on the linephraseto talk about something openly and frankly, particularly something that is unpleasant to hear
to [give] it to {sb} straightphraseto directly tell a person a fact, usually one that is unpleasant
to [talk] turkeyphraseto seriously and honestly discuss a matter
to [pull] no punchesphraseto show one's criticism or disapproval without considering other people's feelings
man to manphrasein a completely honest and frank way, particularly used for a discussion between two men
in (so|as) many wordsphrase(of a fact stated) in a way that is very direct and clear
gentleman's agreementphrasean agreement that is based on the mutual trust of the parties, which is of no legal value
to [wear|have] {one's} heart on {one's} sleevephraseto make no effort to hide one's true feelings and intentions
to [open] {one's} [heart] to {sb/sth}phraseto be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money
to [open] the kimonophrase(of a business) to share confidential or sensitive information to a business partner or colleague
to [bare] {one's} [heart|soul]phraseto start to talk about what one truly feels or thinks
to [pour] {one's} [heart] outphraseto openly share one's thoughts and feelings with someone
to [spill] {one's} guts (out|)phraseto share with someone all one's feelings, most private thoughts, and secrets
open one's heart to somebody or somethingphraseto reveal to a person, an organization, etc. what one truly feels or thinks
spill one's guts (out)phraseto share with someone all one's feelings, most private thoughts, and secrets
Truthfulness12 words
to [show|reveal] {one's} true colorsphraseto behave in a way that reveals who a person truly is as opposed to whom they seem to be
to [put|lay] {one's} cards on the tablephraseto honestly share one's thoughts, feelings, or plans
on the levelphrasetruthfully and without any deception
to [cross] {one's} heartphraseto swear that one is telling the truth about something or is going to do something as promised
to [make] a clean breast of {sth}phraseto make a confession about what one has done wrong or lied about, especially to gain relief
to [come] cleanphraseto finally reveal or admit the truth about something
to [take|blow] the lid off {sth}phraseto make known an unpleasant truth about something
the birds and (the|) beesphrasea conversation with children about disturbing topics like where babies come from or what is the goal of marriage are being discussed
home truthnounan unpleasant, yet truthful information someone reveals or points out about one
to [come] out in the washphraseto eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time
on the up and upphrasein a way that involves no deception or rule violations
come out in the washphrase(of a hidden fact) to be eventually revealed or discovered
Flattery & Bragging5 words
to [bow] and [scrape]phraseto treat someone in authority with high respect, particularly in order to get their approval
to [kiss] {one's} [ass]phraseto try to get something from a person by showing insincere kindness to them
to [fish] for a complimentphraseto get people to praise one, often by pretending not to be happy with oneself
all mouth (and no trousers|)phraseused to describe someone who never puts their word into action
to [lick] {one's} bootsphraseto try to please or get closer to someone for one's personal gain
Learn all 186 words in this list with spaced repetition