tell a lie

IPA/tˈɛl ɐ lˈaɪ/
IPA/tˈɛl ɐ lˈaɪ/

tell a lie — collocation

1. to speak words on purpose that you are aware are false, usually so another perso

1.collocationA2
Definition

to speak words on purpose that you are aware are false, usually so another person believes something untrue.

Example

Mayumi told a lie about her age to get into the late-night film.

tell a lie about something

The young boy told his mother a lie about the broken window.

tell someone a lie about something

Common collocations
  • tell a little lie
  • tell a big lie
  • tell a white lie
  • tell lies
Synonyms
  • lie

    the single-verb form; 'lie to someone' carries the same meaning more directly

  • fib

    informal; a small, harmless untruth rather than a serious deception

  • deceive

    more formal and broader; can involve actions, not just spoken words

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

tell a lie about something

tell someone a lie

Usage Note

Often paired with size adjectives between the article and the noun: 'tell a little lie', 'tell a big lie', 'tell a white lie' (a harmless one). The plural 'tell lies' describes someone who does this repeatedly.

Common Mistakes

She said a lie to her teacher.
She told a lie to her teacher.
the fixed verb for 'lie' is 'tell', not 'say'.
He spoke a lie about the money.
He told a lie about the money.
use 'tell', not 'speak', with 'a lie'.

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

This is an everyday fixed phrase built from the verb 'tell' and the noun 'lie'. 'Lie' meaning a false statement comes from Old English 'lyge', related to the verb 'lēogan' (to deceive). English has long used 'tell' rather than 'say' or 'speak' as the regular partner verb for 'a lie', the same way it pairs with 'a story' or 'the truth'.