From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfibfib1 /fɪb/ noun [countable] spoken LIE/TELL A LIEa small unimportant lie → white lie He’s been known to tell fibs.
Examples from the Corpus
fib• You're not telling me a fib, are you?• These numbers may be a bit of a fib.• The Gypsy expressed shock that I could tell such a fib, especially in this sacred place.• He had tackled the twin problems of the Ecclestone fib and the petrol crisis head on-by ignoring them.• So it's very likely she told you a few fibs.• They said they did it, but that was just a little fib.• It was another one of those little fibs, of course, but no matter.• I had to make up some fib about why I was late.• If you're telling fibs, keep them simple, that's the rule, isn't it?• The fibs are of two kinds.tell fibs• If you're telling fibs, keep them simple, that's the rule, isn't it?• His mother says that he sometimes tells fibs.• Now, Martin, you mustn't tell fibs.• I don't know why you tell fibs all the time.fibfib2 verb (fibbed, fibbing) [intransitive] spoken LIE/TELL A LIEto tell a small unimportant lie I think you’re fibbing. —fibber noun [countable]→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
fib• Puss had decided to fib a little and claim that his master was called the Marquis of Carabas.• Bernie, I fibbed a little, okay?• He fibbed about his age.• When she asked if they wanted to stay for tea, Larry fibbed and said they had a few errands to run.• Not much help to you, I know, but why should I fib and say I walked in?Origin fib1 (1600-1700) Perhaps from fable 