bear false witness

[bair fawls wit-nis]

idiom

1. knowingly state as fact that which is untrue; begin or perpetuate a rumor by lying about a person, thing, or event.

   They collaborated to bear false witness against the innocent financial officer, which effectively ended his career.

2. knowingly give untrue testimony, as in a court of law; commit perjury.

   When she bore false witness on the stand by lying about seeing Jones at the crime scene, did she not realize what the penalty for perjury is?

Word History and Origins

Origin of bear false witness¹

First recorded in 1350–1400

Related Words

• deceive 
• mislead 
• misrepresent 
• promote