tell a lie

This page is about the collocation tell a lie

collocation pattern: verb + noun

Meaning

to say something you know isn't true

For example

  • If you keep telling us lies, we'll never believe you again.

  • After the lies he'd told in court were exposed, the company's lawyer went to jail.

Note:
A similar collocation that's used as a euphemism for "tell a lie", especially in politics, is "tell an untruth"

Quick Quiz

If somebody tells a lie, they

a. know what they've said is wrong

b. think what they've said is correct

c. hope what they've said comes true
a) know what they've said is wrong b) think what they've said is correct c) hope what they've said comes true

Contributor: Matt Errey