Word
lie with
Definition
prepositional phrase. to be dishonest or not truthful about something — often used when hiding the full truth.
prepositional phrase. to be untruthful or deceptive in relation to a subject or matter; typically used in contexts involving moral or ethical misrepresentation.
Examples
“He lied with the facts to avoid getting in trouble.”
“The witness lied with the evidence during the trial, making the case much harder to prove.”
“In his testimony, the politician lied with the truth to avoid admitting guilt, a tactic that backfired spectacularly.”
Examples
simple
“He lied with the facts to avoid getting in trouble.”
contextual
“The witness lied with the evidence during the trial, making the case much harder to prove.”
complex
“In his testimony, the politician lied with the truth to avoid admitting guilt, a tactic that backfired spectacularly.”
Usage
followed by a noun indicating the subject or matter being misrepresented.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'lie about' (more common) and 'fabricate' (to make up details); 'lie with' is less frequent and may confuse learners expecting 'lie about' as the standard form.
Pitfall
She lied with the truth.
She lied about the truth.
'lie with' is less common and can be confusing; 'lie about' is the standard form for this meaning.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lie-with