lying hollow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lying hollow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks substance or sincerity, often in the context of promises or statements. Example: "His assurances about the project's success felt like they were lying hollow, as there was no real plan in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Assyrian church, St .George the Martyr, lies empty and hollowed out after an explosion in 2005.

The New York Times

At the heart of any submersible lies the hollow sphere where the aquanauts work.

The New York Times - Science

Underneath the plate lies a hollow cylinder oriented at right angles to the long axis of the egg and attached to the anterior plate of the egg, the operculum.

Arthropod Structure & Development

Inside is where the magic lies: Each hollow-core tendril contains microscopic layers of plastic and glass that, when melded together in the right way, reflect light almost perfectly.

Forbes

Peatland vulnerability to wildfire disturbance has been shown to vary as a function of hummock and hollow microforms and vadose zone hydrology, with low-lying hollow microforms most susceptible to deep combustion of peat.

Journal of Hydrology

Peat soils are common, particularly in the hollows lying between the drumlins, and hill peat is widespread throughout Northern Ireland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This procedure included supine lying with abdominal hollowing exercises [ 17].

BioMed Research International

You are not alone here, buddy Not alone Predictably, Bogdan often retreated to his hollow room, lying in the dark, palpating the wall, as if looking for an escape tunnel.

The New Yorker

You are not alone here, buddy Not alone ** Predictably, Bogdan often retreated to his hollow room, lying in the dark, palpating the wall, as if looking for an escape tunnel.

The New Yorker

Hollow-eyed, lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by a cage at his trial in Cairo.

The New York Times

Down in the hollow lay the vega, swathed in its blue shimmer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lying hollow" to describe situations or statements that, upon closer inspection, lack genuine substance or meaning. It's particularly effective when contrasting initial appearances with underlying reality.

Common error

Avoid using "lying hollow" when you simply mean someone is telling a direct lie. The phrase implies a more subtle lack of substance or a superficiality rather than outright deception. If you mean "dishonest statement", use the correct expression instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying hollow" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier, often characterizing abstract concepts such as promises, assurances, or even emotional states. It suggests a lack of genuine substance or authenticity, as described by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lying hollow" is a grammatically sound and relatively infrequent expression used to describe something lacking genuine substance or sincerity. Ludwig AI considers the phrase to be correct. While its usage spans diverse contexts like news, science and encyclopedias, it is advisable to ensure that it genuinely fits the concept of seeming substantial but being actually empty, or to seek stronger alternatives such as ""ringing hollow"" or "empty promises" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ringing hollow

Replaces 'lying' with 'ringing', emphasizing the auditory sense of emptiness or insincerity.

sounding hollow

Substitutes 'lying' with 'sounding', focusing on the auditory perception of a lack of substance or genuineness.

feeling empty

Shifts the focus to the emotional experience of emptiness, rather than a statement lacking substance.

seeming insincere

Replaces the 'hollow' metaphor with an explicit description of insincerity.

appearing deceptive

Focuses on the appearance of deception rather than a lack of substance.

proving false

Highlights the falsity or untruth of a statement or promise.

being disingenuous

Emphasizes the lack of genuine intent behind a statement or action.

uttering falsehoods

Shifts from describing the state of 'lying hollow' to the act of speaking untruths.

empty promises

Narrows the concept to specifically refer to promises lacking substance or intent.

insincere words

Focuses on the words themselves being insincere, rather than the broader concept of something 'lying hollow'.

FAQs

How can I use "lying hollow" in a sentence?

You can use "lying hollow" to describe promises or statements that seem substantial but lack real intent or possibility of fulfillment. For example, "His apologies felt like "ringing hollow" after repeated offenses." Alternatively, one may say "sounding hollow".

What does "lying hollow" mean?

"Lying hollow" suggests that something appears to be substantial or meaningful on the surface but is actually empty, insincere, or without real value. It is usually associated with a feeling of disillusionment when the reality doesn't match the expectation or the original promise. The expression suggests a sense of something being "seeming insincere".

What can I say instead of "lying hollow"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as ""ringing hollow"", "empty promises", or "insincere words". These phrases capture the essence of something lacking substance or genuineness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lying hollow"?

Use "lying hollow" when you want to convey that something, often a statement or promise, lacks true value or substance beneath its apparent worth. For instance, it is a good sentence if you want to communicate the "feeling empty" or that something is "appearing deceptive".