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fudge the numbers
/fʌdʒ ðə ˈnʌmbərz/◆idiom
manipulate data to deceive
The company was accused of fudging the numbers to inflate profits.
The company altered financial data to make profits appear higher than they were.
Finance
informal
To manipulate or alter numerical data to present a misleading or favorable outcome, often for financial or statistical purposes.
The auditor discovered that the accountant had fudged the numbers to hide losses.
The auditor found that the accountant altered financial records to conceal financial losses.
Politicians sometimes fudge the numbers to make their policies seem more successful.
Politicians may manipulate statistics to make their policies appear more effective.
This phrase is often used in business and financial contexts to describe unethical or fraudulent practices.
Collocations
cook the booksa similar phrase meaning to falsify financial records
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid Misuse
This phrase should only be used to describe dishonest practices, not minor errors or rounding.
Gold Rule
Ethical Implications
Fudging the numbers is considered unethical and can lead to legal consequences.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from the idea of 'fudging' (to make something seem better than it is) applied to numerical data.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in business and financial contexts to describe dishonest practices involving numbers.
Word Breakdown
fudge
to alter or manipulate something to make it seem better
rootthe numbers
numerical data or figures
phraseEnglish Dictionary