I tell a lie
I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The meeting is at ten, wait, I tell a lie, it is at eleven.”
“I thought I left my keys on the table, but I tell a lie, they are actually in my coat pocket.”
“He claimed the train departed at noon, but then, I tell a lie, he checked the schedule and realized it had already left an hour ago.”
- 01
a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
- 02
all told
With everything included, counted, or summed; in total.
- 03
devil lies in the details
Synonym of devil is in the details.
- 04
don't tell me
Used to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.
- 05
give the lie
To respond to an insult, accusation, or falsehood by saying the offender is lying, particularly in the context of provoking a challenge to a duel.
- 06
give the lie to
To reveal or prove (something) to be false; to refute.
- 07
I can tell you
Emphasises the truth of a statement.
- 08
I can't lie
To be honest, frankly, honestly.
Last updated August 10, 2026