| Subject | English | Russian |
| gen. | a kernel of truth | зерно истины (A core accuracy at the heart of a claim or narrative which also contains dubious or fictitious elements. There may be a kernel of truth in the story of how George Washington confessed to his father that he chopped down the cherry tree. WT. A singular element of truth or wisdom within a greater story, narrative, speech, or claim, especially when most or all other elements are fictitious or of questionable veracity. I think the governor's speech is a bunch of hogwash by and large, but there is a kernel of truth in what he said about the need for lower taxes.  thefreedictionary.com Alexander Demidov) |
| PR | be based on a kernel of truth | иметь в своей основе каплю правды (Newsweek Alex_Odeychuk) |
| gen. | kernel of truth | зерно истины |
| intell. | kernel of truth | зерно истины (достоверный факт или факты, содержащиеся в дезинформационных материалах наряду со сфабрикованными фактами и искажёнными оценками действительности, в целях препятствования провалу дезинформационной операции Alex_Odeychuk) |
| gen. | kernel of truth | доля истины (kernel of truth/wisdom/etc, phrase: a very small part of something that is true, wise etc. MED. Behind most food and nutrition myths, there's a kernel of truth. ESD Alexander Demidov) |
| gen. | like many stereotypes this contains a kernel of truth | как многие избитые фразы, и эта содержит зерно истины |
| Игорь Миг | there is a kernel of truth in every joke | в каждой шутке есть доля правды |