to spin a yarn
Tell tall tales
To spin a yarn is to tell a story, especially a long or elaborate one that may be embellished or entirely fictional.
The phrase evokes sailors passing time with far-fetched tales while literally spinning rope fibers into yarn: He spun a yarn about fighting pirates in the South China Sea.
The expression usually implies entertaining exaggeration rather than outright deception.
Spoken or written narrative
- narrativeAccount of events
- anecdoteBrief account of incident
- raconteurSkilled storyteller
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
legend · fable · saga · chronicle · parable · allegory · bard · griot
Invent or manufacture
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- tall taleWildly exaggerated story
- fish storyBoastful exaggerated account
whopper · stretch the truth · concoct · invent · fib · mislead · far-fetched · unbelievable
tale
Spoken or written narrative
folklore · legend · fable · saga · chronicle · parable · allegory · bard · griot · storyteller
fabricate
Invent or manufacture
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- tall taleWildly exaggerated story
fish story · whopper · stretch the truth · concoct · invent · fib · mislead · far-fetched · unbelievable · outlandish
sailor
Seafaring crew member
- marlinspikePointed tool for splicing
- ropeworkKnot-tying technique
- deckShip's flat surface
shipmate · seafaring · whaling · maritime · dockside · old salt · forecastle · bosun · sea dog · rigging