We listened to his familiar 'tale of woe/misfortune' as he talked again about the failure of his marriage.
They sat around the campfire telling 'tall tales' about their hunting adventures.
Their marriage is a real-life 'fairy tale'. [=they have a very happy marriage]
(..) There's no need to bother your doctor on a holiday. Go ahead. I'd like to tell you Annie avoided Shirley's doctor sister-in-law... but this ain't no fairy tale. This is Thanksgiving. Let's see, what else? You've got some diabetes... - on my mother's side. - Good to know. (..)2013 TvShow: Community Title: Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations Season: 4 Episode 5