TO DRAW (or PULL) THE LONG-BOW, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To tell improbable stories. Hence, LONG-BOW MAN = a liar.

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  1653.  URQUHART, Rabelais, v. ch. 30. ’Twas, Ælian, that LONG-BOW man, that told you so, never believe him, for he lies as fast as a dog can trot.

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  1767.  RAY, Proverbs [BOHN (1893), 64], s.v.

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  1819–24.  BYRON, Don Juan, xvi. 1.

        At speaking truth perhaps they are less clever,
But DRAW THE LONG BOW better now than ever.

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  1849.  THACKERAY, Pendennis, xxx. What is it makes him PULL THE LONG ROW in that wonderful manner?

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  1871.  Daily News, 29 Dec. If now and then he appears to DRAW THE LONG BOW, or rather to shoot with an extraordinary rifle, he does not abuse the reader’s faith unmercifully.

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  1883.  A. DOBSON, Old-World Idylls, ‘To Q. H. F.,’ 134.

        The great Gargilius, then, behold!
His ‘LONG-BOW’ hunting-tales of old
          Are now but duller.

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  ENGLISH SYNONYMS.  To climb a steep hill; to come (or cut) it strong (or fat, or THICK); to embroider; TO GAMMON (q.v.); to lay it on thick; to put on the pot; to pull a leg; to slop over.

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  FRENCH SYNONYMS.  La faire à l’oseille; en voilà une sèvére; c’est plus fort que de jouer au bouchon.

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  SPANISH SYNONYM.  Jacarear.

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  ITALIAN SYNONYM.  Spalare.

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