what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive en · X
Etymology
Attributed to canto 6, stanza 17 in the poem Marmion (1808) by Sir Walter Scott: "O what a tangled web we weave/ When first we practice to deceive"
Meanings
- When one tells a simple lie, it may become necessary to tell more complex lies, eventually spiraling out of control and leading to the exposure of the deceit.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive | alternative | lexicographic |