Give the lie to Meaning in English
expression
GIV thuh LY too
giv thuh LY too
Definition
To show something is false or untrue, often by providing evidence that contradicts what was previously believed or claimed.
Usage & Nuances
Semi-formal/academic; not used in everyday casual speech. Commonly appears in writing, journalism, and formal argument. Phrases: 'give the lie to the claim', 'give the lie to reports'. Means to prove something is false, not to call someone a liar directly.
Spanish: contradecir - desmentirPortuguese (BR): desmentir - contradizerPortuguese (PT): desmentir - contradizerChinese (Simplified): 揭穿 - 证明...是假的Chinese (Traditional): 揭穿 - 證明...是假的Hindi: झूठ साबित करनाArabic: يفند - يدحضBengali: মিথ্যা প্রমাণ করাRussian: опровергать - разоблачатьJapanese: 〜が嘘であることを証明するVietnamese: vạch trần - chứng minh saiKorean: 거짓임을 입증하다 - 거짓임을 밝히다Turkish: yalanlamak - yanlış olduğunu göstermekUrdu: جھوٹا ثابت کرناIndonesian: membuktikan salah - menyangkal
Example Sentences
Her actions give the lie to her words.
basic
The weather today gives the lie to the forecast.
basic
The evidence gives the lie to his statement.
basic
These positive results really give the lie to the critics' doubts.
natural
Doesn't her success give the lie to all those rumors?
natural
Years of research give the lie to the myth that this method doesn’t work.
natural