fib

Word family

fib1 /fɪb/ noun [countableC] spoken

LIE/TELL A LIEa small unimportant lie 小谎，无关紧要的谎言 → white lie

He’s been known to tell fibs.

他爱撒谎是出了名的。

Examples from the Corpus

fib• You're not telling me a fib, are you?• These numbers may be a bit of a fib.• The Gypsy expressed shock that I could tell such a fib, especially in this sacred place.• He had tackled the twin problems of the Ecclestone fib and the petrol crisis head on-by ignoring them.• So it's very likely she told you a few fibs.• They said they did it, but that was just a little fib.• It was another one of those little fibs, of course, but no matter.• I had to make up some fib about why I was late.• If you're telling fibs, keep them simple, that's the rule, isn't it?• The fibs are of two kinds.

tell fibs• If you're telling fibs, keep them simple, that's the rule, isn't it?• His mother says that he sometimes tells fibs.• Now, Martin, you mustn't tell fibs.• I don't know why you tell fibs all the time.

fib2 verb (fibbed, fibbing) [intransitiveI] spoken

LIE/TELL A LIEto tell a small unimportant lie 撒小谎

I think you’re fibbing.

我觉得你在撒谎。

—fibber noun [countableC]

Examples from the Corpus

fib• Puss had decided to fib a little and claim that his master was called the Marquis of Carabas.• Bernie, I fibbed a little, okay?• He fibbed about his age.• When she asked if they wanted to stay for tea, Larry fibbed and said they had a few errands to run.• Not much help to you, I know, but why should I fib and say I walked in?

Origin fib1

(1600-1700) Perhaps from fable

fib1 nounfib2 verb

Chinese

Corpus