give the lie to, to
give the lie to something
Fig. to show that something is a lie. The evidence gives the lie to your testimony. Your own admission of your part in the conspiracy gives the lie to your earlier testimony.
See also: give, lie
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
give the lie to
Show to be false, refute, as in His black eye gave the lie to his contention that he hadn't been fighting. [First half of 1500s]
See also: give, lie
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
give the lie to
1. To show to be inaccurate or untrue.
2. To accuse of lying.
See also: give, lie
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
give the lie to, to
To refute, to prove false; also, to accuse of lying. This expression dates from the sixteenth century. Sir Walter Raleigh used it in his poem “The Lie,” in which he tells his soul to survive his body: “Go, since I needs must die, and give the world the lie.” It is less often heard today.
See also: give, lie
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- What gives?
- turn around
- turn around (something)
- turn round
- go round
- for example
- for instance
- might makes right
- in the context of
- in the context of (something)