bear false witness
Americanidiom
-
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.
-
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?
Etymology
Origin of bear false witness
First recorded in 1350–1400
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s OK to speak the truth. Do not bear false witness, senator,” shouted Mr. Walker, who said the evictions were “written about in the paper.”
From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2022
Stone has repeatedly vowed not to "bear false witness" against Trump, but he didn't close the door on cooperating with Mueller's office in some way.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2019
"There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," Stone told ABC "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos.
From Fox News • Dec. 2, 2018
‘Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.’
From Salon • Aug. 18, 2015
Okay, maybe “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” is only the eighth commandment, but it’s still pretty darn important.
From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
