Say lies vs Tell lies

Both 'say lies' and 'tell lies' are commonly used phrases in English, but 'tell lies' is the more widely accepted and idiomatic expression. 'Say lies' is not incorrect, but it is less common and may sound awkward to native speakers.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 3816 views

While less common, 'say lies' is not grammatically incorrect. However, 'tell lies' is the more commonly used and accepted phrase.

"Say lies"

This phrase means to speak falsehoods or untruths. It can be used in sentences like 'Don't say lies about me.'

Examples:

He always says lies to cover up his mistakes.
She said lies to protect her friend.
Why do you keep saying lies about what happened?
It's not right to say lies to your parents.
People who say lies often get caught eventually.

Show examples from the web [+]

Yeah. That's why I don't think he'd say lies about me.
Made us say lies... do things... but we beat him.
This is a debate which, as you know, we have had several times in the Council; a debate which I think I can say lies at the heart of the reform undertaken on the initiative of Commissioner Patten.
I say therein lies salvation and eternal gratitude.
The evidence, they say, lies buried in the ice sheets of Greenland.
I'd say that reality lies somewhere in the middle.
It's says your sister lies in a public house in Wolverhampton.
I didn't say everybody always lies...
Finally, let me say that nothing lies like bad statistics.
Yes, his mother says he never lies.
Exactly who incited you to say such lies?
Brother-in-law, whatever they say are lies.
The basic reason for the tension, he says, lies in the introduction of Islamic law in several predominantly Muslim regions in 1999.
Or, should I say casa of lies.
Some scholars say the answer lies in our country's history shows that these corrupt individuals are highly educated people.
With regard to the regulations for hunting, I must say that this lies outside my competence.
She'd say there were white lies and...
You know, they say a bullet never lies.
Says the man who lies about his own name.
Says the guy who lies for a living.

Alternatives:

tell lies
speak falsehoods
fib
fabricate stories
mislead others

'Tell lies' is the more commonly used and accepted phrase in English.

"Tell lies"

'Tell lies' means to speak untruths or falsehoods. It is a widely recognized and idiomatic expression.

Examples:

She always tells lies to avoid getting in trouble.
Don't believe him, he tells lies all the time.
Why do you feel the need to tell lies about your achievements?
It's not good to tell lies to your friends.
People who tell lies often lose the trust of others.

Show examples from the web [+]

They told him not to tell lies.
He says you shouldn't tell lies.
There's no need to tell lies at our age.
Mother, Dan has learned to tell lies lately.
We know that people always tell lies and tell the truth only when they are dying.
They tell lies to get what they want.
All they did was tell lies.
You just tell lies to yourself.
How can I tell lies here?
And then I guess she can tell lies and pretend along with the best of us.
As you yourself said, Mr President, the price of freedom is the right for some people to give misinformation and to tell lies.
All that does is tell lies to try to get what you want.
He told me not to tell lies.
Me, Spencer, the others, we all tell lies, but you're the only one who actually knows how to live in a lie.
You always tell me not to tell lies... and you... you're a liar.
You were supposed to fix this, but instead you let her get up there and tell lies about me!
What, an almost sociopathic need to tell lies of omission and get something for nothing?
Mm. I'm not trying to deceive anybody or tell lies or steal, or, you know, take advantage of anybody else.
My teacher said that I shouldn't tell lies like that while filming these things.
Sir, I'm a Jehovah's Witness and cannot tell lies.

Alternatives:

say lies
speak falsehoods
fib
fabricate stories
mislead others

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Say lies vs Tell lies

"Say lies"

"Tell lies"

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