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# telling stories

phrase (verb phrase; tell, tells, told, telling stories)

«telling stories» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. telling tales, real or made up, to entertain.
2. (euphemism, UK) telling lies, said gently, especially to a child ("are you telling stories?").

### In the lessons

Everyday; the euphemism is gentle, used by parents and teachers in the UK.

### Examples

- Gran loves telling stories about when she was young.
- "Are you telling stories, young man?" asked the teacher.
- The children sat round the fire telling stories.
- Stop telling stories and tell me the truth.
- Telling stories is a big part of every culture.
- My little brother was telling stories about a dragon in the garden.

### Note

Two senses: storytelling (good) or lying (bad). Tone and context tell which.