do not deceive me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not deceive me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a request for honesty or truthfulness from someone. Example: "In our discussions, I must insist that you do not deceive me about your intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Do not deceive me".

The New York Times

Oliver, whose wife is expecting their third child, grasps this urgency, for all that he is so privileged, for all that he owns - if my eyes do not deceive me - an Aston Martin (I saw it when, as preparation for our meeting, I visited the Essex farm where he lives, and where he shot his bucolic At Home series).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I rub my eyes to make sure they don't deceive me.

The Guardian - Travel

The extract Sealed Secrets, By Jessica Blair (Piatkus £19.99) '... Don't deceive me any more, Robert Dane, Addison or whatever other name you so easily use.

Independent

There's no confirmation if it's actually in, or going to be in, production, but if my eyes don't deceive me, Best Buy is saying they're going to have a black Xbox 360s.

TechCrunch

My eyes don't deceive me, and from what I'm seeing this is far from over.

Huffington Post

(If my ears did not deceive me, I think I recognised Joss Ackland's disembodied voice in there somewhere as well).

The Guardian - Film

Do not deceive yourself.

The New York Times - Books

Appearances, in this case, do not deceive.

The New York Times

His woodsman's skills do not deceive him.

The Economist

If you hear a rumble of apocalypse in that description, your ears do not deceive you.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not deceive me" when you want to emphasize a formal request for honesty or when expressing a serious concern about potential deception.

Common error

Avoid using "do not deceive me" in everyday conversations or light-hearted situations. It can sound overly dramatic or aggressive where a simpler request for honesty would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not deceive me" functions as an imperative, directly commanding someone to avoid dishonesty. It's a forceful expression used to seek assurance of truthfulness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do not deceive me" is a grammatically sound and forceful imperative, typically used to demand honesty and transparency in situations where there is a perceived risk of deception. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct, although it is more common in neutral to formal contexts such as news, science and Wiki articles. While alternatives like "be honest with me" or "don't lie to me" exist, this phrase carries a unique emphasis on the potential for, or anticipation of, dishonesty. Therefore, it should be used judiciously, especially avoiding overuse in casual conversation where it could sound overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don't lie to me

More direct and confrontational.

be honest with me

A straightforward request for truthfulness.

tell me the truth

Emphasizes the importance of truthful disclosure.

do not mislead me

Focuses on avoiding unintentional deception.

don't try to fool me

Suggests an attempt at trickery is anticipated.

I want the truth

Highlights the speaker's desire for honesty.

give it to me straight

Requests a blunt and unfiltered account.

I need you to be upfront

Asks for candor and transparency.

be candid with me

A more formal way to request honesty.

I expect your honesty

Asserts an expectation of truthful communication.

FAQs

What does "do not deceive me" mean?

The phrase "do not deceive me" means to not lie to or mislead the speaker. It's a request for honesty and truthfulness.

When is it appropriate to use "do not deceive me"?

It's best used in situations where honesty is crucial and there's a potential for someone to be dishonest. It can also be used to add emphasis to a request for truthfulness.

What are some alternatives to "do not deceive me"?

You can use alternatives like "be honest with me", "tell me the truth", or "don't lie to me" depending on the context.

Is "do not deceive me" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively formal and carries a serious tone. It's more appropriate in situations where a strong emphasis on honesty is needed.