putting words in someone's mouth
Inventing their statement
Putting words in someone's mouth is attributing statements or opinions to them that they didn't actually express.
The phrase usually carries an accusation of misrepresentation: Don't put words in my mouth—I never said I agreed with him.
It can also mean coaching someone on what to say: The lawyer was practically putting words in the witness's mouth.
- misquoteInaccurate citation
- misattributeAssign to wrong source
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- distortTwist from original form
twisting words · reframe · coercion · misinterpret · misconstrue · strawman · bad faith argument · narrative control · misinformation · paraphrase · exaggerate · ventriloquize · spin · falsify · credibility · oversimplify · propaganda · rhetoric