a pack of lies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pack of lies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has been deliberately telling untruths or fabricating the facts. For example, "John's explanation of the incident was a pack of lies; nothing he said was true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Berlusconi tells a pack of lies.

The Economist

Everything else, the son asserted, was a pack of lies.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the testimony against them was a pack of lies.

Independent

The whole piece was a pack of lies.

The Guardian

"He told a pack of lies," she said.

The New York Times

But, in essence, their propaganda is a pack of lies.

The Guardian

I would say that's a pack of lies.

The New York Times - Magazine

I told the world that your case for the war was a pack of lies.

Independent

The entire project was a pack of lies, a sting, a con from start to finish.

The New Yorker

Sixteen hundred of them [were] American soldiers, sent to their deaths on a pack of lies.

Independent

At first, they said on radio and TV that the book was "a pack of lies".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pack of lies", consider who your audience is. While generally acceptable, in more formal settings, alternatives like "false statement" or "misrepresentation" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a pack of lies" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "fabrication", "deception", or "falsehood" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pack of lies" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a predicate nominative or object, characterizing a statement or set of statements as entirely false. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pack of lies" is a common and usable phrase to express that something is completely untrue. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media. While grammatically sound, consider the formality of your context and audience, and avoid overusing the phrase by utilizing synonyms. When you want to strongly express your disbelief, or accusation that someone is not telling the truth you can use this expression. It is more impactful than saying someone is just making a mistake. Remember to vary the language by using synonyms to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bundle of falsehoods

Similar to "a pack of lies" but with slightly different imagery.

tissue of lies

Implies a fragile and easily exposed set of lies.

total falsehood

Highlights the untrue nature of the statement.

blatant untruth

Indicates an obvious and shameless lie.

complete fabrication

Emphasizes the invented nature of the falsehood.

web of deceit

Suggests a complex and interconnected series of lies.

utter deception

Focuses on the act of deceiving someone.

mendacious story

Highlights the deceitful nature of the narrative.

pure invention

Stresses that the statement is entirely made up.

false statement

A more formal and neutral way to describe a lie.

FAQs

How can I use "a pack of lies" in a sentence?

You can use "a pack of lies" to describe a statement or narrative that is completely untrue. For example, "His explanation of what happened was "a pack of lies"; nothing he said was based on fact."

What's a more formal alternative to "a pack of lies"?

If you need a more formal way to express that something is untrue, consider using phrases like "false statement", "misrepresentation", or "fabrication".

Is "a pack of lies" an idiom?

Yes, "a pack of lies" is an idiom. It's a figurative expression that means a collection of untruths, often implying that the lies are elaborate or extensive.

Are there similar idioms to "a pack of lies" that I can use?

Yes, you could use idioms like "tissue of lies", which suggests a fragile and easily exposed collection of lies, or "web of deceit", implying a complex and interconnected set of falsehoods.