pernicious lie

USAGE SUMMARY

"pernicious lie" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a malicious or damaging falsehood, or a lie that is particularly harmful. For example, "The politician's claim was nothing more than a pernicious lie intended to mislead the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is a pervasive, pernicious lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a particularly pernicious lie.

Huffington Post

The most pernicious lie told about the disability program is that it's easy to obtain benefits.

Los Angeles Times

It's a particularly pernicious lie that anyone who does non-profit work does it to fulfill some kind of calling.

Huffington Post

This idea, that in writing we leave a piece of ourselves behind, may be the most pernicious lie we tell ourselves.

Los Angeles Times

In fact, some of the same people who regularly go on Fox News to rail on about the "Benghazi conspiracy" helped promote the notion that we were invading Iraq because Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction -- the most pernicious lie ever used in recent American politics.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The report was presented as a corrective to a web of pernicious lies surrounding the attack.

The Guardian

What pernicious lies people make up and peddle; there were no illegal substances in the singer's body that night.

The Guardian - Opinion

After accusing the Musicians' Union of running a "pernicious lying campaign", Dr Howells, for one, does not seem to want to listen.

The Guardian - Music

I believe that one of the pernicious lies that has been told to your generation is that one can have it all.

The New York Times

Let's debunk Dick Cheney's pernicious lies about torture once and for all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pernicious lie" to describe falsehoods that are not only untrue but also actively harmful or damaging. This phrase carries a stronger connotation than simply 'a lie'.

Common error

Avoid using "pernicious lie" when a simpler term like "falsehood" or "untruth" would suffice. The word 'pernicious' implies a particularly damaging or insidious quality to the lie.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pernicious lie" functions as a noun phrase, where "pernicious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "lie". It describes a specific type of falsehood characterized by its harmful and insidious nature. Examples on Ludwig indicate its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pernicious lie" is used to describe a particularly harmful or damaging falsehood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Analysis of its use across various sources indicates that while it's not extremely common, its presence is notable in news and media contexts. The phrase carries a strong connotation of malicious intent and detrimental effects, making it a powerful descriptor in situations where a simple 'lie' doesn't suffice. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the intensity it conveys, as overusing it can diminish its impact. The alternatives are harmful lie or malicious lie.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dangerous lie

Substitutes "pernicious" with "dangerous", emphasizing the potential harm caused by the untruth.

harmful lie

Substitutes "pernicious" with "harmful", focusing on the damaging effect of the lie.

insidious lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "insidious", highlighting the subtle and treacherous nature of the lie.

vicious lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "vicious", highlighting the malicious intent behind the lie.

destructive lie

Substitutes "pernicious" with "destructive", focusing on the damaging impact of the falsehood.

wicked lie

Substitutes "pernicious" with "wicked", emphasizing the immoral nature of the lie.

disastrous lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "disastrous", emphasizing the catastrophic consequences of the lie.

evil lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "evil", underscoring the profound negativity of the lie.

malicious lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "malicious", stressing the intent to cause harm through the lie.

malignant lie

Replaces "pernicious" with "malignant", drawing a parallel to a harmful growth or influence.

FAQs

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

Use "pernicious lie" to describe a falsehood intended to cause significant harm or damage. For example, "The politician's claim was a "pernicious lie" designed to undermine his opponent's reputation".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "pernicious lie"?

You can use alternatives such as "harmful lie", "malicious lie", or "destructive lie" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pernicious lie" stronger than simply saying "lie"?

Yes, "pernicious lie" is stronger. The adjective "pernicious" emphasizes the harmful and insidious nature of the lie, suggesting it's particularly damaging or morally reprehensible.

What kind of impact does a "pernicious lie" typically have?

A "pernicious lie" often leads to widespread negative consequences, such as damaged reputations, social unrest, or even political instability, due to its particularly harmful nature.