a total untruth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total untruth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely false or a lie. Example: "The claim that he was never at the scene of the crime is a total untruth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A leave campaign resorting to total untruths to con people into taking a leap in the dark: it's irresponsible and it's wrong and it's time that the leave campaign was called out on the nonsense that they are peddling," Cameron said.

The Guardian

David Cameron has accused the leave campaign of telling six "total untruths" in the space of a few days.

The Guardian

Cameron hit back by publicly accusing the leave campaign of "resorting to total untruths to con people into taking a leap in the dark".

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron accused the leave side of "resorting to total untruths to con people into taking a leap in the dark: it's irresponsible and it's wrong and it's time that the leave campaign was called out on the nonsense that they are peddling".

The Guardian

Hours after Cameron said they were "peddling nonsense" and "resorting to total untruths", the two leading Brexit campaigners said the public deserve to hear the arguments debated in person.

The Guardian

There were so many obvious glaring errors, untruths and exaggerations it seemed the program might be a total disaster... it was apparent that drama was what this production was after, and to hell with truth and history.

Huffington Post

A total, total gift.

Huffington Post

No one I spoke with in Peru seems ever to have believed Berenson's original claim of total ignorance, and such an obvious untruth may have been self-defeating — not just legally, but by further damaging her image.

The New York Times - Magazine

Robert Greenstein, the executive director of the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, called Mr. Ryan's claim "somewhere between a misstatement and a flat-out untruth".

The New York Times

A big untruth.

The New York Times - Magazine

The suggestion was a despicable untruth.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a total untruth" when you want to emphasize the complete lack of truth in a statement. It's stronger than simply saying something is false.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a total untruth" can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "complete fabrication" or "utter falsehood" in formal writing. Choose your words carefully to match the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total untruth" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a descriptor for a statement or claim. It emphasizes the complete lack of truthfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total untruth" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is completely false. Ludwig AI indicates that it is usable in English. While it's understandable and appropriate in various contexts, it isn't particularly common and may be considered less formal than alternatives such as "complete fabrication" or "utter falsehood." This phrase serves to strongly reject a statement, emphasizing the complete absence of truth. When choosing this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete lie

Emphasizes the deceptive nature and intentionality of the statement.

an utter fabrication

Highlights the constructed and invented nature of the falsehood.

a blatant falsehood

Stresses the obvious and shameless quality of the lie.

a pure invention

Focuses on the lack of basis in reality.

a pack of lies

Indicates multiple falsehoods bundled together.

a gross misrepresentation

Highlights the distortion of facts.

a deliberate deception

Emphasizes the intent to mislead.

a trumped-up charge

Suggests a false accusation created to harm someone.

a whopper

An informal term for a big lie or exaggeration.

a tall tale

Implies an unbelievable and exaggerated story.

FAQs

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

You can use "a total untruth" to describe something that is completely false or a lie. For example: "The claim that he was never at the scene of the crime is "a total untruth"."

What can I say instead of "a total untruth"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete lie", "an utter fabrication", or "a blatant falsehood" depending on the context.

Is "a total untruth" formal or informal?

"A total untruth" is relatively neutral, but may sound less formal than other alternatives like "utter falsehood" or "complete fabrication", which are better suited for formal writing.

What's the difference between "a total untruth" and "a partial untruth"?

"A total untruth" means something is completely false, while "a partial untruth" means only part of it is false, and another part might be true or misleading. A partial untruth is also referred to as "half-truth".