Purpose. The purpose and or consequence of a half-truth is to make something that is really only a belief appear to be knowledge, or a truthful statement to represent the whole truth, or possibly lead to a false conclusion.

What is it called when you tell half the truth?

taradiddle. (or tarradiddle), untruth, whopper.

Is it possible to lie by telling the truth?

The line between truth and lies is becoming ever murkier, finds Melissa Hogenboom. There's even a word for a very different form of lying. It is no secret that politicians often lie, but consider this – they can do so simply by telling the truth.