That was the small lie they were using to save face.

"A small lie was made in this hall," he said.

This was a small lie in a good cause.

I had known instinctively that a small lie wouldn't be up to the job.

I, too, allowed myself a small lie for the sake of better understanding.

Then he decided that a small diplomatic lie might be useful.

A small lie, but why should he know that?

It seemed such a small lie, and one for which he believed the Source would forgive him.

Billy does tell one small lie when he's asked if he knew about or suspected any trouble on board.

I certainly don't have a problem with a small lie if I'm trying to save a life.