English Explanatory Dictionary

give the lie

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. 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.
  2. Used in give the lie to.

Pronunciation

en-au-give the lie.ogg

Word forms

give the lie gives the lie giving the lie gave the lie given the lie

Etymology

From give + the + lie, where lie is used in an obsolete sense to mean a claim that someone is lying.

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