blatant lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blatant lie" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically refers to a statement or claim that is blatantly false or deceitful. Example: His excuse for missing the meeting was a blatant lie - we all knew he had just overslept.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This is a blatant lie.

The New York Times

This appeared to be a blatant lie.

The New Yorker

At this blatant lie Leslie discreetly rolls her eyes.

The New York Times

This is a blatant lie and aptly speaks about the writer's utter disrespect for responsible journalism.

The Economist

Then, having just told a blatant lie, he actually pats her knee.

The New York Times - Arts

And it is a complete own goal in an election campaign to tell a blatant lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is a blatant lie," a male voice growled from Gul's phone.

The Guardian

(c) The Romney campaign ad containing the blatant lie, "President Obama ended work requirements for welfare".

The New Yorker

Never mind that by a blatant lie I'd already betrayed civic decency by putting on the U.S. Army's uniform.

The New York Times - Books

Dennis Pixton, a genial oysterman on the dock here at Bayou La Loutre, called the findings "a blatant lie".

The New York Times

"That's a fish tale," for example, and "That smells fishy," suggest a highly exaggerated story or blatant lie or misdeed.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives such as "outright falsehood" or "barefaced fabrication" when you want to add emphasis or formality.

Common error

While effective, consistently labeling statements as a "blatant lie" can appear accusatory or inflammatory in formal settings. Opt for more diplomatic language like "misrepresentation" or "inaccurate statement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blatant lie" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a direct and forceful denunciation of a statement's veracity. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a common way to express strong disagreement or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blatant lie" is a commonly used noun phrase to express strong disagreement and disbelief in a statement's truthfulness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While effective, remember that "blatant lie" can be accusatory, so consider alternatives like "outright falsehood" or "misrepresentation" in more formal settings. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively deploy "blatant lie" to convey their message accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outright falsehood

Replaces 'lie' with 'falsehood' and 'blatant' with 'outright', indicating a direct and unmistakable untruth.

barefaced fabrication

Uses 'fabrication' instead of 'lie' and 'barefaced' to stress the boldness and lack of shame in the deception.

flagrant untruth

Substitutes 'lie' with 'untruth' and 'blatant' with 'flagrant', highlighting the conspicuous nature of the false statement.

complete deception

Replaces 'lie' with 'deception' emphasizing the act of misleading and uses 'complete' to amplify the extent of the falsehood.

arrant prevarication

Replaces "lie" with "prevarication", which implies evasion or withholding the truth, and "arrant" meaning complete or utter.

bold-faced deception

Emphasizes the audacity of the deception by using 'bold-faced' as an alternative to 'blatant'.

unmitigated falsity

Replaces 'lie' with 'falsity' and uses 'unmitigated' to underscore the severity and lack of any redeeming qualities in the lie.

unvarnished untruth

Uses 'unvarnished' to suggest the lie is presented without any attempt to make it more palatable or acceptable.

rank misrepresentation

Emphasizes that the "lie" distorts facts and is of the highest degree (rank).

sheer invention

Suggests the "lie" is completely made up or fabricated, implying a higher level of creativity or imagination in its construction.

FAQs

How to use "blatant lie" in a sentence?

You can use "blatant lie" to describe a statement that is obviously and intentionally false. For example, "His excuse for being late was a "blatant lie", as everyone knew he was still at home".

What can I say instead of "blatant lie"?

You can use alternatives like "outright falsehood", "barefaced fabrication", or "flagrant untruth" depending on the context.

Is "blatant lie" formal or informal?

"Blatant lie" is generally considered neutral but can sound accusatory. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "misrepresentation" or "inaccurate statement" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "blatant lie" and "white lie"?

A ""blatant lie"" is an obvious and intentional falsehood, while a "white lie" is a minor or harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.