liar

Everyday

1. A liar is a person who tells lies, saying things they know are not true to trick someone. tree →
2. Calling someone a liar means you think they are not telling the truth. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons on truth, lies and tricks, «liar» teaches that people who lie lose trust; in stories like «The Boy Who Cried Wolf» nobody believes the liar when the truth matters. Calling someone a liar is a strong, rude thing to say, so it is better to say «I don't think that's true». Phrases: «a terrible liar» (bad at lying), «a big liar», «liar, liar, pants on fire» (a playground rhyme).

Examples

• The boy who cried wolf was a liar, so nobody came to help. tree →
• Don't call your sister a liar; ask her what happened. tree →
• He is a terrible liar; he always goes red. tree →
• A good friend is not a liar. tree →
• Nobody believed the liar when he finally told the truth. tree →
• The detective worked out who the liar was. tree →
• Liar, liar, pants on fire! shouted the children in the story. tree →
• "You are an impudent liar!" cried the genius. tree →

Note

Spelled «-ar», not «-er» (a common spelling trap). Verb «lie, lied, lying» (tell an untrue thing); do not mix with «lie, lay, lain» (to lie down). Saying something wrong by mistake does not make you a liar; a liar knows it is untrue.

In Jewish tradition

A liar is someone who speaks falsely, whether to people or about God. Proverbs warns that anyone who adds to God's words will be found a liar.

Interpretation. Jewish tradition treats truth as a deep value and lying as a serious wrong. The Torah's command to keep far from a false matter is read as a warning against all deceit.

Examples

• I said in my haste: 'All men are liars.' (Writings PSA.116.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. (Writings PRO.17.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Writings PRO.30.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelled «-ar», not «-er» (a common spelling trap). Verb «lie, lied, lying» (tell an untrue thing); do not mix with «lie, lay, lain» (to lie down). Saying something wrong by mistake does not make you a liar; a liar knows it is untrue.