outright lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outright lie" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a blatant or deliberate falsehood. Example: "The politician's claim that he never accepted bribes was an outright lie, as evidenced by the audio recording of his conversation with the lobbyist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sure, if we outright lie, cheat, steal, and fail to keep our word, others will consider us untrustworthy.

Harvard Business Review

There have always been people who outright lie by borrowing an address from a friend or relative to get their children into a school.

The New York Times

He did not outright lie about Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction, but he misled the country about what was known and not known.

The Economist

During the time he spent with Mr. Trump, he said, the businessman would regularly exaggerate or outright lie to get the upper hand.

The New York Times

While some lawyers offer rewards for leads, others outright lie.

Forbes

Job candidates often like to fluff up their experience, and sometimes they even outright lie about their abilities.

TechCrunch

Politicians of both parties shade the truth, cherry-pick statistics, and sometimes outright lie.

Vice

Fib, puffery, white lie, misinformation, half-truth, fairy tale, or just outright lie?

Huffington Post

"Some are personal tales, and sometimes I just outright lie!" Yamamoto says she enjoys telling "Funny Little Woman" because of the unexpected twists.

Los Angeles Times

The worst thing you can do to someone in such a fragile state is outright lie.

WikiHow

While you want to structure your answers so that your best, most qualified aspects take center stage, you don't want to deceive or outright lie.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When accusing someone of telling an "outright lie", be prepared to provide evidence to support your claim.

Common error

While "outright lie" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "deliberate falsehood" or "complete fabrication" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outright lie" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a linking verb. It describes a statement known to be false. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from politics to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outright lie" is a common and direct way to describe a statement known to be intentionally false. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its usage in describing situations where deception is suspected. While generally neutral in register, using synonyms like "deliberate falsehood" or "complete fabrication" may be more appropriate in professional or formal contexts to avoid sounding overly accusatory. When using the phrase, consider the potential impact and be prepared to substantiate your claim with evidence. Overall, "outright lie" is a strong and clear expression for intentional falsehoods, suitable for various contexts depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant falsehood

Focuses on the obvious and undeniable nature of the lie.

complete fabrication

Emphasizes the constructed or invented nature of the lie.

deliberate untruth

Highlights the intention behind the lie.

total fiction

Suggests the lie has no basis in reality.

pure invention

Focuses on the creative aspect of the lie, implying it was made up entirely.

bold-faced lie

Highlights the audacity or shamelessness of the lie.

arrant falsehood

Uses a more formal term for falsehood to emphasize its severity.

unmitigated lie

Emphasizes that there's nothing that excuses or diminishes the lie.

absolute prevarication

Uses a more elaborate word for lying, implying evasion and deceit.

sheer deception

Highlights the deceptive nature and intent of the lie.

FAQs

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

You can use "outright lie" to describe a statement that is known to be false. For example, "His claim that he was unaware of the company's financial problems was an "outright lie"."

What's a more formal way to say "outright lie"?

More formal alternatives to "outright lie" include "deliberate falsehood", "complete fabrication", or "blatant falsehood".

Is it too accusatory to call something an "outright lie"?

Calling something an "outright lie" is a strong accusation. It's important to be sure of your facts before using this phrase, as it implies intentional deception.

What is the difference between an "outright lie" and a "misunderstanding"?

An "outright lie" is a deliberate attempt to deceive, while a "misunderstanding" is an unintentional error in communication or interpretation. The key difference is intent.