Legal Definitions - lie

Lie is a verb that means to say something that is not true. For example, if someone says they did their homework when they really didn't, they are lying.

Lie can also mean to have a basis in the law or to exist in a certain place. For example, if someone takes legal action against another person, they may say that their case "lies in tort."

Examples:

• She lied to her parents about where she was going.
• The defendant was found guilty of perjury for lying on the witness stand.
• The responsibility for making a decision lies with the board of directors.

The first example shows how lying means saying something that is not true. The second example shows how lying can be illegal, in this case, perjury. The third example shows how lying can mean something exists or resides in a certain place, in this case, the responsibility for making a decision.