lie
n. countable B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɫaɪ// UK //lˈaɪ// lie
n. something you say or write that you know is not true. You usually do this to hide a mistake or to trick someone.
n. a false statement made with the deliberate intent to deceive. Often used in legal contexts to describe perjury or in general discourse to denote a breach of trust.
He told a lie about why he was late for work.
The witness was caught in a lie when the security footage proved he was not at the scene.
While some view a white lie as a harmless social lubricant, others argue that any departure from the truth inevitably erodes the foundation of a relationship.
Usage
Commonly pairs with the verb 'tell' rather than 'say'.
Pitfall
He said a lie to me.He told a lie to me.In English, you 'tell' a lie or 'tell' the truth; you do not 'say' them.