expression, godan verb (-mu)
fudge numbers; manipulate figures; lie about one's age
Idiomatic expression for deliberately miscounting or misreporting numbers for personal benefit, especially age. Often used when someone claims to be younger or older than they really are.
See also: サバを読む
彼女は年齢をサバ読んで、三歳若く言っている。
She fudges her age, saying she's three years younger.
人数をサバ読んで、実際より多く報告した。
He manipulated the headcount, reporting more people than there actually were.