Small lie

FIB

Think of a casual, four-letter word you might use when someone stretches the truth just a little—it’s not a full-blown falsehood, just a tiny bend.

Small lie" is a straightforward clue pointing to "FIB," a casual word for a minor or harmless untruth. The answer plays on the idea that a fib isn’t a serious deception—just a little white lie. It’s a common crossword term, so solvers often recognize it quickly from the clue’s tone. No tricks here, just a direct match between meaning and answer.