Cool MateBut that's not true at all vs That's a lie
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But that's not true at all
Top 3,000 (common)
That's a lie
Common idiom
| But that's not true at all | That's a lie | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bʌt ðæts nɒt truː æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //bʌt ðæts nɑt tru æt ɔl// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ə laɪ//🇺🇸 //ðæts ə laɪ// |
| Meaning | This means something is completely untrue. | It's not true. |
| Example | She said I never help her, but that's not true at all! | When he claimed he finished the project on time, I thought, 'That's a lie.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Common idiom |
| Collocations | say that's not true at all, believe that's not true at all, know that's not true at all | tell a lie, caught in a lie, big lie |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal context where a softer expression would be better., Confusing it with other phrases that carry a different tone or implication. | Use 'lies' instead of 'lie' when referring to multiple falsehoods., Confuse with 'lying' which refers to the act of being in a horizontal position. |
| Usage notes | Use in conversations to emphasize disagreement. Avoid in very formal writing or speeches. | Used to express disbelief or accusation. Avoid in formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: But that's not true at all vs That's a lie
What's the difference between But that's not true at all and That's a lie?
But that's not true at all: This means something is completely untrue. That's a lie: It's not true.
Can you show an example of each?
But that's not true at all: She said I never help her, but that's not true at all! That's a lie: When he claimed he finished the project on time, I thought, 'That's a lie.'
Can I use But that's not true at all and That's a lie interchangeably?
Not always. But that's not true at all and That's a lie are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.