Exaggeration

noun a lie or falsehood

• The author's latest novel was criticized for being nothing more than a tall story with no basis in reality.
• I can't believe you fell for that tall story about the haunted house down the street!
• That guy at the party last night was spinning a real tall story about his wild adventures.
• His excuse for being late was just a tall story to cover up the fact that he overslept.