big lie

American  

noun

1. a false statement of outrageous magnitude employed as a propaganda measure in the belief that a lesser falsehood would not be credible.

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Etymology

Origin of big lie

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

You’re waiting for that to be a big lie, but it’s not.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

"The Australian Dream… it's a big lie," Mr Dowswell says.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2023

But the mere use of the phrase "big lie" is not enough to give rise to a true connotation, Singhal wrote.

From Reuters • Jul. 29, 2023

The big lie at the heart of Tesla’s big-battery approach is that EVs can directly replace gas cars without any real behavioral change on the part of consumers.

From Slate • Jul. 28, 2023

Poppy told her Liyana was a very light eater, a big lie of course, but convenient for the moment.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye