a total lie

USAGE SUMMARY

"a total lie" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is completely untrue. For example, "He claimed he had been in the Air Force, but I later found out it was a total lie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A total lie.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was a total lie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That last sentence is a total lie.

The New York Times

"That's a total lie," N'Drasal says.

The Guardian

"That's a total lie," she says.

The Guardian - Books

A total lie and an insult to Nigerians.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Is the room haunted by sinister spirits of the past or was our previous roommate a total lying tard face?

Huffington Post

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz on Friday dismissed as "a complete and total lie" allegations of sexual assault levied by a woman who claims she was kept as a sex slave by billionaire investor Jeffrey Epstein.

Huffington Post

Update: Ivanka Trump issued the following statement in response to Peretti's tweet: "I am not sure if this was meant to be a joke, but in case there is any ambiguity, this is a complete and total lie".

Vice

So what came out of my mouth was, "I got it at the Army Navy Surplus Store," a complete and total lie.

Huffington Post

love, Abbie I just saw the haircut story on TV and it is a total obscene lie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, using "a total lie" can effectively portray a character's strong emotions and disbelief in what they're hearing or reading.

Common error

While "a total lie" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more nuanced and professional language to maintain credibility and avoid sounding overly aggressive or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total lie" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a direct and emphatic declaration that something is untrue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total lie" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a strong and direct way to express disbelief and denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is very often found in the News & Media. While its directness makes it suitable for many contexts, it's crucial to consider the register and audience, especially when more formal language may be appropriate. Related phrases such as "completely false" or "utterly untrue" can provide more nuanced alternatives. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly false

Highlights the complete and absolute lack of truth.

an outright falsehood

Highlights the direct and unambiguous nature of the lie.

a complete fabrication

Emphasizes the artificial and constructed nature of the falsehood.

a blatant untruth

Stresses the obvious and shameless quality of the lie.

pure fiction

Implies that the statement is akin to a work of imagination.

a pure invention

Focuses on the fact that the statement is entirely made up.

a deceptive claim

Focuses on the intent to mislead.

a pack of lies

Suggests a collection of untrue statements, rather than a single lie.

a gross misrepresentation

Indicates a significant distortion of the truth.

a trumped-up story

Suggests the story was fabricated to achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a total lie" to strongly refute a statement. For example, "His claim that he won the lottery is "a total lie"".

What are some alternatives to "a total lie"?

Alternatives include "completely false", "utterly untrue", or "a complete fabrication", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a total lie" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a total lie" might be too informal or aggressive for some formal contexts. Consider using more nuanced or professional language, such as "a misrepresentation" or "an inaccurate statement".

What's the difference between "a total lie" and "a half-truth"?

"A total lie" indicates that something is entirely false, while "a half-truth" implies that while there may be some truth to a statement, it is incomplete or misleading.