NGL is an informal abbreviation for not gonna lie, used to admit something embarrassing or make a criticism less offensive. Learn more about its usage, examples and translations in different languages. In this guide, we’ll break down the meaning of NGL in text, when to use it, examples from real conversations, and what it says about your tone when chatting online. NGL is a popular abbreviation commonly used on Twitter and Reddit. Here's where "Not Gonna Lie" came from and how you should use it. NGL stands for “ Not Gonna Lie .” Think of NGL as another way of saying “honestly,” “if I’m being honest,” or “to be honest.” It’s a quick, easy way to let another person know that you’re sharing exactly what’s on your mind. NGL means the same thing over text and on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. [1] .