a string of lies

USAGE SUMMARY

'a string of lies' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase when you want to describe a series of false statements or untrue claims made by someone or a group of people. For example, "The politician's account of the situation was nothing but a string of lies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Mark Sanford lied to cover up his lies, and has continued with a string of lies since the moment he stepped off the plane," Mr. Knotts said.

The New York Times

We are attempting to unravel a string of lies that people have been told for centuries.

The Guardian

She burst back on the scene with a string of lies and half-truths that could have drawn a tsk tsk from Tom Sawyer.

The New York Times

What came out later revealed that the young man, apparently looking for attention and approval, had been building for years a string of lies about Wall Street prowess.

The Guardian - Business

A close family friend who helped a runway mother flee with her three-year-old son faces prison after a judge ruled that he had "told a string of lies," about their disappearance.

Independent

Earlier this week, Lord Justice Wildblood told Mr Butt he had "told a string of lies" to the court and the police, and warned him he faced jail for contempt of court.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Their parents (vile arrogant dad, under-the-cosh mum) have fed them a string of wacko lies about how the world works.

The Guardian

Both documents show, without quite saying so, that years of official statements amount to a long string of lies.

The New Yorker

The district attorney's office in New York catalogued a devastating string of lies: on her application for asylum, on her tax return, to the housing authorities, to a grand jury and, repeatedly, to the prosecutors, including over what happened in the hotel after the alleged assault on May 14th.

The Economist

The idea of a countryman in such a position of trust offering a string of bare-faced lies on oath would have been, well, unthinkable.

The Guardian

The idea was to have the hero engage in a string of small, white lies intended to ease his introduction to his future in-laws, only to have them grow and gradually ensnare him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a string of lies", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates a series of connected or related false statements, not just isolated instances of lying. This phrase is most effective when the lies build upon each other or contribute to a larger deception.

Common error

Avoid using "a string of lies" when describing unrelated or isolated instances of deception. This phrase implies a connected narrative or a deliberate pattern, and misusing it can weaken your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of lies" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a connected series of untrue statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a string of lies" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase employed to depict a series of connected false statements. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is clear, and it is typically used to highlight deception or dishonesty. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates interconnected falsehoods rather than isolated lies. The related phrases, such as "a series of falsehoods" and "a chain of deceptions", offer alternative ways to express this concept, adding nuances of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of falsehoods

Replaces 'lies' with the more formal 'falsehoods' and 'string' with 'series', indicating a sequence of untruths.

a chain of deceptions

Uses 'chain' to convey a connected sequence, and 'deceptions' to emphasize the act of deceiving.

a barrage of untruths

Replaces the more neutral "string" with "barrage", adding emphasis on the intensity and volume of the lies.

a web of deceit

Metaphorically describes the lies as an intricate and entangling "web".

a tissue of fabrications

Implies that the lies are fragile and easily exposed, using "tissue" as a metaphor.

a torrent of prevarications

Replaces “lies” with “prevarications”, indicating evasiveness and indirectness in speech.

a catalog of untruths

Replaces "string" with "catalog", suggesting a systematic or exhaustive listing of lies.

a litany of untruths

Emphasizes the repetitive and often tedious nature of the lies, using "litany" to convey this sense.

a constellation of falsehoods

Replaces "string" with "constellation", implying a dispersed but connected grouping of false statements.

a collection of whoppers

Replaces "lies" with the more informal "whoppers", indicating blatant and exaggerated falsehoods.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a string of lies" in a sentence?

Use "a string of lies" to describe a series of interconnected false statements, such as: "The defendant presented "a string of lies" to cover up the evidence."

What are some alternatives to "a string of lies" that I can use?

Consider alternatives like "a series of falsehoods", "a chain of deceptions", or "a web of deceit" to vary your language and add emphasis.

Is "a string of lies" formal or informal?

"A string of lies" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "a lie" and "a string of lies"?

"A lie" refers to a single false statement, while ""a string of lies"" indicates multiple interconnected or sequential false statements, often forming a larger deception.