Phrase guide

barefaced lie

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A falsehood told with utter confidence and without trying to conceal the fact that it is false, especially a planned or deliberate falsehood.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I understand that salespeople try to explain things in a positive way, but that was a barefaced lie.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From barefaced (“unconcealed, audacious, shameless”) + lie.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Icelandic: haugalygi — falsehood told with utter confidence without trying to conceal the fact that it is false
  • Icelandic: ljúga upp í opið geðið á einhverjum — falsehood told with utter confidence without trying to conceal the fact that it is false
  • Polish: wierutne kłamstwo — falsehood told with utter confidence without trying to conceal the fact that it is false