# give the lie to

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-the-lie-to
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reveal or prove (something) to be false; to refute.

## Examples

- His actions give the lie to his kind words.
- The company's poor financial report gave the lie to their claims of record-breaking profits this year.
- The sudden discovery of the hidden documents gave the lie to the politician's long-standing narrative regarding his involvement in the scandal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.