barefaced lie

Idioms  

1. A shameless falsehood. For example, Bill could tell a barefaced lie with a straight face. The adjective barefaced means “beardless,” and one theory is that in the 1500s this condition was considered brazen in all but the youngest males. By the late 1600s barefaced also meant “brazen” or “bold,” the meaning alluded to in this phrase.

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Example Sentences

Mr Khan's spokesperson previously said the circulated leaflets "peddle a barefaced lie".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2024

Elizabeth still hoped to avoid outright conflict with Spain and put about the barefaced lie that he had limped home empty-handed.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2021

"The cheque's in the post" still works, even though it is nine times out of 10 a barefaced lie.

From The Guardian • Jun. 29, 2010

It is the most barefaced lie in the world, my Nero," said he, addressing his dog—"this boasted liberty of man!

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851 by Various

“I—I—I,” I stammered, not knowing what to reply to this, as I did not like to tell him a barefaced lie in cold blood offhand— “I’ve hurt my arm, sir.”

From Young Tom Bowling The Boys of the British Navy by Greene, John B.