crude lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crude lie" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lie that is blatant, obvious, or lacking in sophistication. Example: "His explanation was nothing more than a crude lie that anyone could see through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Brain science has come a long way since the days of crude lie detectors, which would look out for a little pick-up in pulse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While Asia's main sources of natural gas and crude oil lie in the Persian Gulf region, western Siberia and Central Asia, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the continent's petrochemical industry is more widely distributed, with especially heavy concentrations in countries with skilled workforces and strong domestic demand for petrochemical products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board estimates that some 1.6 trillion barrels of crude oil lie in the tar sands.

Forbes

The conundrum the Sudans face is that both countries are extremely dependent on oil, but while the export pipelines run through the north, the bulk of the crude oil lies in the landlocked South, which seceded from Sudan last year after decades of guerrilla war.

The New York Times

The Jeffersonians fabricated crude lies about Hamiltonian embezzlement schemes.

The New York Times - Books

This article examines the financial mechanism, currently known as the Yasuní-ITT Initiative, by which Ecuador would be compensated for not exploiting the reserves of heavy crude lying underneath the Yasuní National Park, a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity located in the Amazon Region.

Ecological Economics

Crude bunkers lie near the empty structures.

The New York Times

The crude here lies trapped at the bottom of the ocean in fields capped by dense mineral layers that scatter seismographic waves, making them difficult to map and measure.

Forbes

Ecuador's historic proposal to keep some 850 million barrels of crude that lay beneath the country's stunning Yasuní National Park hit a familiar roadblock last weekend, as President Rafael Correa undermined his own negotiating team, denounced foreign donors, and threatened to drill in the ITT oil block (named for the oil wells Ishpingo, Tambococha, Tiputini) in June.

Huffington Post

The crude answer will lie in the show's ability to build on its initial $3 million advance at the box office through marketing and word of mouth.

The New York Times

The $3.6bn the president sought represents half of the $7.2bn expected to be generated over the next decade from the 846 million barrels of heavy crude estimated to lie in the Yasuni area, representing 410 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crude lie", ensure the context emphasizes the obvious and unsophisticated nature of the deception. It's most effective when the lie is easily detected or poorly constructed.

Common error

Avoid using "crude lie" when the deception is subtle or requires careful analysis to uncover. The phrase is most impactful when the falsehood is immediately apparent. Consider alternatives like "deceptive narrative" or "misleading statement" for more nuanced situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crude lie" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "crude" modifies the noun "lie". The phrase typically serves to describe the nature of a falsehood, emphasizing its unsophisticated and easily detectable quality. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crude lie" describes a blatant, unsophisticated falsehood. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare. It's most often found in news and media contexts, used to criticize or disapprove of a deceptive statement lacking subtlety. When using "crude lie", ensure the lie's obviousness is the focus, as less apparent falsehoods might be better described using alternatives such as "deceptive narrative" or "misleading statement". Alternatives for "crude lie" include "blatant falsehood", "obvious untruth", and "barefaced lie".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant falsehood

Emphasizes the obviousness and flagrancy of the lie.

obvious untruth

Highlights the undisguised nature of the false statement.

barefaced lie

Stresses the shamelessness and audacity of the deception.

patent fabrication

Focuses on the easily detectable and manufactured nature of the lie.

flagrant deception

Underscores the shocking and blatant nature of the deceit.

shameless falsehood

Highlights the lack of remorse or embarrassment in the lie.

transparent deception

Emphasizes how easily the lie can be seen through.

poorly constructed lie

Highlights the lack of sophistication and believability of the lie.

unsubtle falsehood

Focuses on the lack of finesse in the lie's creation and delivery.

clumsy untruth

Suggests the lie is awkward and easily exposed.

FAQs

What does "crude lie" mean?

A "crude lie" is a lie that is blatant, unsophisticated, and easily detectable. It lacks subtlety and is often poorly constructed.

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

You can use "crude lie" to describe a statement that is obviously false and lacks any finesse, such as: "His explanation was nothing more than a "crude lie" that anyone could see through."

What are some alternatives to "crude lie"?

Alternatives to "crude lie" include phrases like "blatant falsehood", "obvious untruth", or "barefaced lie". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "crude lie" a formal or informal expression?

"Crude lie" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it carries a slightly negative connotation due to its directness.