half truth

Noun

half-truth (countable and uncountable, plural half-truths)

1. A deceptive statement, especially one that is only partly true, is incomplete, misrepresents reality by telling part of the truth, or alters the time sequence of truths.
   • The Minister no doubt would claim that the public has already expressed its opinion by deserting the trains. As we have said before, this is scarcely a half-truth. By and large, where there has been a decline the public has deserted the out-dated trains; [...].1962 August, “Let's have plain speaking”, in Modern Railways, page 74