Macbeth: Lying A false statement, or a statement intended to deceive someone is better known as a lie. A lie which tells half the truth is called equivocation. Of course, there are many different types of lies; there are lies which do not tell the truth, equivocation, lies of omission, and those "white" lies which do not hurt anyone. There are also many different reasons for telling a lie. Some might lie to cover the truth, others might lie because it became a habit to them when they a child. But why would someone use equivocation? Someone might use equivocation to allow the recipient to draw their own interpretation of the matter,