by jace caitlyn October 27, 2007
Refers to the enormous sideways "expanding" of the "honesty line" (i.e., the "straight 'n' narrow" ink-trace that is drawn when the subject is not lying) that occurs whenever Hap Shaughnessy takes a polygraph test while reciting one of his grandiose tales of phenomenal past accomplishments/escapades.
When his fellow villagers disgustedly waved off his amazing tales of howling adventures and intrigue during his trip as an ambassador, Will Rogers indignantly snorted that he hoped that a building would fall in on him if he'd "padded the facts" at all about his recent political adventures, and a huge brick chimney immediately did collapse and shower him with bricks and powdery mortar-dust (he wasn't hurt -- no worries). Kind of a crude and "extreme" polygraph-device, but it did indeed show that Will had evidently been stretching the truth somewhat.
by QuacksO April 16, 2019
Exaggerate.To say something which is not completely honest in order to make someone or something seem better or worse than it really is:
I know he has stretched the truth about how much he had helped in the project.
Don't stretch the truth on your resume.
Don't stretch the truth on your resume.
by Patbyw January 9, 2008