as false as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as false as a" is considered correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to compare something to being as false or untrue as something else. For example: "His claims were as false as a three-dollar bill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That narrative can be read in many places, but it's as false as a liar loan.

Harvard Business Review

In a hilarious irony, the Danish buddies worry that their lives will become as false as "a Hollywood movie".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

An unrelentingly bleak view of the world is as false as an unrelentingly cheerful view.

The New York Times - Magazine

And make no mistake, it is as false as the intimacy promised during a pole dance.

Huffington Post

To mimic International Style characteristics is as false as the nation's imitation of a modern state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trying to replicate its original rooms, he admits, would be as false as trying to rebuild the Schloss -- a parody of real history.

The New York Times - Arts

I met Gregory Peck on several occasions, and his courtesy did not seem as false as some of those faced by a critic who might be inclined otherwise to snipe at them.

The Guardian

That is an awful lot to ask.You made out that the president's lacklustre first term was down to an unwillingness to "reach across the aisle", a claim as false as most of the ads aired by Mr Romney.

The Economist

Mr. Powell did not return several calls yesterday asking for comment on whether he intended to resign, but his aides released this statement yesterday: "These recent allegations are just as false as similar allegations proved to be a couple of months ago after the woman recanted her story and admitted she lied.

The New York Times

In a world where prime-time television is dominated by a "reality" as false as the Kardashians' lashes, and people sit across dinner tables checking in on Facebook rather than having face-to-face conversations, this may not come as a surprise.

HuffPost

(The Soviet claim to such a vision was as false as the vision itself was attractive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "as false as a" to emphasize the untruthfulness of a statement by comparing it to something widely known to be fake or unreliable. This adds a touch of humor or irony to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as false as a" in formal or academic writing, as it can be perceived as too informal or colloquial. Opt for more direct and professional language to convey the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as false as a" functions as a simile, comparing the degree of falsehood to something else known to be untrue. This is highlighted in the Ludwig example where a narrative is described as being "as false as a liar loan".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as false as a" is a simile used to strongly emphasize the untruthfulness of something by comparing it to something known to be fake or unreliable. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, but is more common in news and media contexts. While effective for adding emphasis or a touch of irony, it should be used judiciously in more formal settings. Consider alternatives like "completely untrue" or "utterly fabricated" for increased formality. The Ludwig AI finds that it is a correct phrase to use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as incorrect as a

Replaces "false" with "incorrect", focusing on factual inaccuracy rather than deception.

as wrong as a

Substitutes "false" with "wrong", indicating a deviation from what is correct or right.

as fake as a

Replaces "false" with "fake", directly indicating something is not genuine.

as phony as a

Substitutes "false" with "phony", suggesting inauthenticity and pretense.

as bogus as a

Substitutes "false" with "bogus", suggesting something is fake or counterfeit.

as fraudulent as a

Replaces "false" with "fraudulent", emphasizing deceit and illegal activity.

as deceitful as a

Uses "deceitful" instead of "false", focusing on the intent to mislead.

as misguided as a

Replaces "false" with "misguided", highlighting errors in judgment or understanding.

completely untrue

A more direct way of saying something is not true.

utterly fabricated

Emphasizes that something is made up or invented.

FAQs

How can I use "as false as a" in a sentence?

You can use "as false as a" to emphasize the untruthfulness of something by comparing it to something else that is obviously fake or unreliable. For example, "His promises were "as false as a" three-dollar bill".

What phrases are similar to "as false as a"?

Similar phrases include "completely untrue", "utterly fabricated", or "deceitful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as false as a" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as false as a" is often considered informal. In formal writing, it is best to use more direct and professional language, such as "incorrect" or "untrue".

What's the difference between "as false as a" and "misleading"?

"As false as a" implies a complete lack of truth, while "misleading" suggests something is partially true but presented in a way that could cause misunderstanding. Something "misleading" might contain elements of truth, but "as false as a" is entirely untrue.