noun
tall tale; cock-and-bull story; bullshit
Refers to an exaggerated, boastful, or completely made-up story. ほらを吹く (to boast/tell tall tales) is a common related expression. The gloss 'bullshit' is vulgar and should be used with caution.
彼の話はどうせほら話だよ。
His story is just a tall tale anyway.
あの人はいつもほら話ばかりしている。
That person is always telling tall tales.
From ほら (conch shell, from the image of blowing one's own horn) + 話 (story). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with boasting.