a barefaced lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a barefaced lie" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a blatant or shameless falsehood, often in a context where the lie is obvious or unapologetic. Example: "He claimed he was at the meeting, but that was a barefaced lie; everyone knew he was out of town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It was a barefaced lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a barefaced lie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

EM: Let me ask you about a barefaced lie.

Independent

"The cheque's in the post" still works, even though it is nine times out of 10 a barefaced lie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That's a barefaced lie, of course – the same bogus promise that deceived viewers of the original Fargo film in 1996.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For one thing, they wear makeup, usually a light foundation with matte pink lipstick and mascara so subtle that the overall effect is wordplay: a barefaced lie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This claim and the commercial are a barefaced lies.

Huffington Post

This is an absolute barefaced lie.

Independent

It was argued by Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of advocacy for the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, that Bahrain's rulers used Charles's visit to sell an image of inclusivity and that "Sharif's prosecution reveals the barefaced lie".

The Guardian

In current use, then, baldfaced lie is the most popular because it sounds most resounding; barefaced lie continues to run strong with no connotation of any pursuit of the hirsute; and boldfaced lie sounds like a printer's error.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even before the dean of Barchester is dead, he plots to take his job, writing three different letters to influential parties, with the barefaced lie that "the bishop is anxious my name is put forward".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a barefaced lie", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the obviousness or audacity of the falsehood. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a barefaced lie" when the falsehood is subtle or nuanced. The phrase is most effective when the lie is blatant and easily recognized as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a barefaced lie" functions as a noun phrase that serves to identify and characterize a specific instance of deception. It emphatically describes the lie as being blatant and shameless. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this phrase, supported by examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a barefaced lie" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a blatant and shameless falsehood, as confirmed by Ludwig. This phrase, while uncommon, finds its primary usage in news and media contexts and serves the purpose of expressing disapproval and exposing deception. For alternative expressions, consider "a blatant lie" or "an outright falsehood". Be mindful to use this phrase when the lie is evidently obvious and audacious, rather than subtle or nuanced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blatant lie

Focuses on the obvious and unconcealed nature of the lie.

an outright falsehood

Emphasizes that the statement is completely untrue, with no mitigating factors.

a brazen fabrication

Highlights the audacious and impudent nature of the lie.

a flagrant deception

Stresses the scandalous and evident nature of the deceptive act.

a palpable untruth

Indicates the lie is easily perceived or felt to be false.

a stark prevarication

Emphasizes the blunt and direct nature of the evasion of truth.

a transparent deceit

Highlights the obviousness and lack of subtlety in the deception.

a bold-faced lie

Indicates a lie told with confidence and audacity.

a deceitful statement

Focuses simply on the misleading quality of the statement.

a complete untruth

Stresses the thorough and absolute falsity of the statement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a barefaced lie" in a sentence?

Use "a barefaced lie" to describe a statement that is obviously and shamelessly false. For example, "His claim that he didn't know about the scandal was "a barefaced lie", given his close involvement."

What are some alternatives to "a barefaced lie"?

You can use alternatives like "a blatant lie", "an outright falsehood", or "a brazen fabrication" to convey a similar meaning depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

Is there a difference between "a barefaced lie" and "a bold-faced lie"?

While similar, "a barefaced lie" emphasizes the blatant and shameless nature of the lie, whereas "a bold-faced lie" focuses more on the audacity and confidence with which the lie is told. The phrases are related but not perfectly interchangeable.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a barefaced lie"?

The phrase "a barefaced lie" is suitable in contexts where you want to highlight the obviousness and audacity of a falsehood, such as in political commentary, investigative journalism, or critical analysis of someone's statements.