a simple lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple lie" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a false statement that is straightforward or uncomplicated. Example: "He told a simple lie to avoid hurting her feelings, but the truth eventually came out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And then it all collapsed, undone by the chance discovery of a simple lie, that led to many more.

The New York Times

If you provide verifiable video evidence showing that a single racist epithet was hurled as you walked among the Tea Partiers, or you pass a simple lie detector test, I will provide a $10K check to the United Negro College Fund".

The New Yorker

It is typical of the pathological nature of Trump's dishonesty that it sweeps from a simple lie to a more damning one, and manages thereby to rest a wholly absurd claim on the back of a testable (and not in itself ridiculous) one.

The New Yorker

Let G be a simple Lie group of real rank one, with Iwasawa decomposition KAN̄ and Bruhat big cell NMAN̄.

Journal of Functional Analysis

In order to prove this last affirmation, we have used again the set of routines to show the simplicity of the ideal and that it is isomorphic to f4/I, which is also a simple Lie algebra.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

(Simpson) If X is a compact Kähler manifold, its fundamental group (pi _1(X)) cannot be isomorphic to a lattice ( Gamma ) contained in a simple Lie group not of Hodge type.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The 9-2 available on in-form Hull to upset Reading at the Madejski is a tempting value call in the Championship, though a simple lay of the Royals at odds-on is the safer bet.

The Guardian - Sport

While most people would likely consider such a mannequin to be a simple lay figure or tailor's dummy, the video in this case tells a different story.

Huffington Post

Questions arise as to how a 14 year girl can disappear from the airport in El Salvador without a trace during a simple lay over.

Huffington Post

This suggests that it may be possible to unify all the particle interactions as different aspects of a single underlying interaction, based on a single simple Lie algebra.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

LetGbe a noncompact, simple Lie group with finite center, letKbe a maximal compact subgroup, and let g0=k0⊕p0be the corresponding decomposition of the Lie algebra.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a simple lie", ensure the context clarifies whether the lie is simple in its construction, its intent, or its consequences. Providing this context enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a simple lie" is necessarily harmless or insignificant. The simplicity of a lie does not diminish its potential for causing harm or having far-reaching consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple lie" functions as a noun phrase, where "simple" modifies the noun "lie". It describes a particular kind of falsehood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a simple lie" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a falsehood characterized by its lack of complexity. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. While it's generally used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, it's important to consider the ethical implications, as simplicity does not equate to harmlessness. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express the concept, each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a straightforward lie

Emphasizes the directness and lack of complexity in the falsehood.

a plain lie

Highlights the obviousness or unadorned nature of the untruth.

a small fib

Suggests the lie is minor and relatively harmless.

a white lie

Implies the lie is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

a fabricated story

Focuses on the constructed nature of the falsehood.

a false statement

A more formal and neutral way to describe a lie.

a dishonest claim

Highlights the intent to deceive.

an untruthful remark

A polite and somewhat indirect way of referring to a lie.

a deceptive assertion

Emphasizes the misleading nature of the statement.

a misleading account

Focuses on how the information leads someone to a wrong conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "a simple lie" in a sentence?

You can use "a simple lie" to describe a falsehood that is easy to understand or construct. For example, "He told "a simple lie" to avoid hurting her feelings."

What's the difference between "a simple lie" and "a white lie"?

"A simple lie" refers to the straightforward nature of the falsehood, while "a white lie" implies that the lie is told with good intentions, usually to protect someone's feelings. Not all ""a simple lie"s" are "white lies".

What are some alternatives to saying "a simple lie"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a straightforward lie", "a small fib", or "a false statement".

Is it ever okay to tell "a simple lie"?

The ethical implications of telling "a simple lie" depend on the context and the potential consequences. Some people believe that "white lies" are acceptable in certain situations, while others maintain that honesty is always the best policy.