Interpretations are given. choose the interpretation that is most appropriate I knew that they were economical with the the truth. This means that they

Step 1: Analyze the question You are asked to interpret the idiom "economical with the truth."

Step 2: Explain the concept To be "economical" means to use something sparingly, without wasting it. So to be "economical with the truth" means to give out only part of the truth, deliberately leaving out some facts. It is a polite way of saying someone is hiding information or being less than fully honest, without directly calling them a liar.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. were being honest: Wrong. Holding back the truth is the opposite of full honesty.
• B. did not know the truth: Wrong. The idiom implies they know the truth but choose not to share all of it.
• C. did not know enough about the matter: Wrong. This is about ignorance, but the idiom is about deliberate withholding.
• D. knew more than they were prepared to say: Correct. They had the full facts but chose to reveal only part.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D.

Tip: For idioms like this, ask yourself whether the person is ignorant or deliberately holding back. "Economical with the truth" always points to deliberate holding back. Similar phrases include "being selective with the facts" and "telling half-truths."