bullshitting
Speaking without substance
Bullshitting can mean deceiving someone with empty talk: He's bullshitting you about the deadline.
It also means faking competence: I was bullshitting my way through the presentation.
In a friendlier sense, bullshitting is casual, low-stakes chat: We were just bullshitting on the porch.
Context distinguishes deceit from camaraderie.
Vulgar term for lies
- horseshitVulgar term for lies
- baloneyFoolish talk, slang
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
- malarkeyInsincere foolish talk
crap · drivel · garbage · rubbish · tripe · bunk · hooey · poppycock
Stating known falsehoods
- fabricatingManufacturing falsely
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- falsifyingMaking intentionally untrue
- dishonestInclined to deceive
untruthful · bluffing · conning · duping · hoodwinking · bamboozling · dissembling · feigning
Proceeding without preparation
- ad-libbingUnscripted spontaneous performance
- extemporizingSpeaking without preparation
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
- freestylingUnscripted lyrical performance
making it up · faking it · shooting from the hip · on-the-spot · unscripted · impromptu · spitballing
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- deflectingTurning from original path
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- fudgingManipulating facts dishonestly
obfuscating · misdirecting · equivocating · waffling · stonewalling · dancing around · skirting · ducking
bullcrap
Vulgar term for lies
malarkey · crap · drivel · garbage · rubbish · tripe · bunk · hooey · poppycock · balderdash
lying
Stating known falsehoods
- fabricatingManufacturing falsely
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- falsifyingMaking intentionally untrue
dishonest · untruthful · bluffing · conning · duping · hoodwinking · bamboozling · dissembling · feigning · fraudulent
winging it
Proceeding without preparation
- ad-libbingUnscripted spontaneous performance
- extemporizingSpeaking without preparation
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
making it up · freestyling · faking it · shooting from the hip · on-the-spot · unscripted · impromptu · spitballing
dodging
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- deflectingTurning from original path
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
fudging · obfuscating · misdirecting · equivocating · waffling · stonewalling · dancing around · skirting · ducking · tap-dancing
bullshittingtruth-telling
Communicating only facts
telling the truth · being honest · honesty · veracity · forthrightness