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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Lie Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：tell an untruth (lie)

lie 🔊

/laɪ/

to say something that is not true, usually to trick someone.

Child lying about eating cookies with guilty expression

tell an untruth 🔊

➕

/tɛl ən ʌnˈtruːθ/

To intentionally say something that is not true, often with the intent to deceive or mislead someone.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From OE 'leogan' (deceive) and 'licgan' (recline).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember: you can lie (recline) while telling a lie (falsehood).

📖 Example

The cat lied about not eating the fish when there were crumbs on its whiskers. 🔊 The cat lied about not eating the fish when there were crumbs on its whiskers.

🔗 Collocations

lie to someone – to say something false to a person

lie about something – to give false information regarding a topic

tell a lie – to utter an untruth

🔄 Synonyms

deceive (v.) – to cause someone to believe something false, often by hiding the truth.

mislead (v.) – to cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression.

fabricate (v.) – to invent something false in order to deceive.

🚫 Antonyms

tell the truth (v. phrase) – to state facts or reality.

be honest (v. phrase) – to be truthful and sincere.

acknowledge (v.) – to accept or admit the existence or truth of something.

🌱 Derivatives

liar (n.) – a person who tells lies.

lying (adj.) – given to or characterized by deceit.

📖 Cultural Story

The verb 'lie' has two distinct origins: Old English 'leogan' (deceive) and 'licgan' (recline). This homograph is a classic example of accidental convergence in English.

Meaning 2：lie down (lie)

lie 🔊

/laɪ/

to be or put yourself in a flat or horizontal position on a surface.

Person lying down relaxing on beach towel

lie down 🔊

➕

/laɪ daʊn/

To be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a surface, such as a bed or floor.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My book lies open on the table, waiting for me to continue reading. 🔊 My book lies open on the table, waiting for me to continue reading.

🔗 Collocations

lie down – to recline or rest in a horizontal position.

lie on something – to be positioned on top of a surface.

lie flat – to be completely horizontal without curvature.

🔄 Synonyms

recline (v.) – to lean or lie back in a relaxed position.

rest (v.) – to cease work or movement in order to relax or recover strength.

stretch out (v. phrase) – to extend the body or limbs to full length.

🚫 Antonyms

stand (v.) – to be in an upright position on the feet.

sit (v.) – to be in a position with the body upright and weight on the buttocks.

rise (v.) – to move from a lying or sitting position to a standing one.

🌱 Derivatives

lying (adj.) – in a horizontal position.

lie-down (n.) – a short rest taken lying down.