dangerous lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dangerous lie" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a falsehood that poses a significant risk or harm to individuals or society. Example: "The politician's dangerous lie about the vaccine has led to widespread misinformation and public health risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

What the human rights proponent Michael Ignatieff has optimistically called a "revolution of moral concern" is not just a myth in Rieff's eyes, it is a dangerous lie.

The New York Times - Books

Modernism was a swindle – a dangerous lie perpetuated by Jews, communists, and even the insane to contaminate the body of German society (they were fond of medical and corporeal metaphors, the Nazis).

The Guardian - Arts

Four former health secretaries said on Sunday that those claiming Brexit could save the NHS were guilty of spreading a "dangerous lie" when it would in fact starve the health service of cash and staff.

The Guardian

The one thing that never seems to work in a love story is the language of love itself, which is, as Don Quixote discovered, a delusion and a dangerous lie.

The Guardian

If you think the Bush team is doing Israel a favor with its diplomacy of benign neglect, if you think the only campaign Jews need to be involved in today is with hypocrites on U.S. college campuses -- and not with extremists in their own camp -- you too are telling yourselves a very big and dangerous lie.

The New York Times

But that's a false story, and a dangerous lie to boot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"WikiLeaks exposed the most dangerous lies of all, which are those that are told to us by elected governments".

The New York Times

This happened during the storm when the Web site BuzzFeed exposed a Twitter user who was deliberately spreading dangerous lies about hospital fires and floods.

The New York Times

He exposed the dangerous lies peddled by Boris Johnson, as well as making a strong case for the security benefits of staying in the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rivers is explicit about her aim, which is not just to entertain but to educate: she wants fat girls to know that "they need to pull it together," to resist their mothers' dangerous lies about inner beauty.

The New Yorker

That is what China fears: its strategic nightmares feature migrants pouring across the Yalu river and South Korean or American troops approaching its borders.But in the long run the best way of making North Korea less dangerous lies in defanging the Kims.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dangerous lie", consider the specific risks or harms that the lie poses to make your writing more impactful. Being specific about the consequences can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "dangerous lie" hyperbolically. Reserve it for situations where the falsehood genuinely presents a tangible risk, not merely an inconvenience or minor offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dangerous lie" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "dangerous" is an adjective modifying the noun "lie". As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies a falsehood that has the potential to cause significant harm. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing the risks associated with believing the lie.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Huffington Post

15%

The Guardian

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dangerous lie" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe a falsehood with significant potential for harm. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where its purpose is to condemn and alert audiences to the risks associated with believing a false statement. While not overly common, it serves a crucial function in highlighting the potential negative consequences of deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful deception

Focuses more directly on the act of deceiving and its potential to cause harm.

perilous falsehood

Highlights the risk or danger associated with the untrue statement.

risky fabrication

Emphasizes the constructed nature of the lie and the inherent risk involved.

treacherous untruth

Conveys a sense of betrayal or hidden danger within the lie.

deceptive menace

Highlights the potential for the lie to be a threat or source of danger.

grave misrepresentation

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the inaccurate portrayal.

hazardous prevarication

Highlights the uncertain and unsafe nature of speaking evasively or falsely.

fatal deceit

Emphasizes that the lie has the potential to result in death or disaster.

corrosive myth

Highlights that the lie has a gradually destructive effect on something.

insidious falsehood

Emphasizes the subtly harmful way the lie spreads.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "dangerous lie" in a sentence?

Use "dangerous lie" to describe a falsehood that presents a clear and significant risk to individuals or society. For example: "Spreading misinformation about vaccines is a /s/dangerous+lie because it can harm public health."

What are some alternatives to saying "dangerous lie"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "/s/harmful+deception", "/s/perilous+falsehood", or "/s/risky+fabrication" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to describe something as a "dangerous lie"?

Use "dangerous lie" when the falsehood has the potential to cause significant harm, whether physical, emotional, or societal. It implies a higher level of risk than a simple mistake or /s/untruth.

What distinguishes a "dangerous lie" from a regular lie?

A "dangerous lie" is not just untrue; it carries significant potential for harm. Unlike a /s/simple+lie, it presents a tangible risk to safety, well-being, or other critical aspects of life.