Lie vs. Dare: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Lie" refers to an untruth or the act of reclining, while "dare" is to challenge someone to do something courageous or risky.
Difference Between Lie and Dare
"Lie" and "dare" are two English verbs with vastly different meanings. "Lie" can denote the act of telling an untruth or falsehood. When someone tells a "lie," they're deliberately conveying information that isn't true, potentially with the intent to deceive or mislead. This act can have moral and ethical implications, often viewed negatively. On the flip side, "lie" can also mean to recline or rest in a flat position. When someone chooses to "lie down," they are positioning themselves horizontally, typically for rest or relaxation.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
In contrast, "dare" is a verb that suggests a challenge. When someone "dares" another, they're essentially challenging them to undertake a specific act, often something that requires bravery or goes against norms. "Dare" brings with it an element of risk, as it can be used to challenge someone to step out of their comfort zone or to confront fears. It's a word that evokes a sense of potential danger or excitement.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
While both "lie" and "dare" serve as verbs, they cater to entirely different actions and contexts. You might "lie" to someone about your weekend plans but "dare" a friend to try a spicy food challenge. The two verbs, while common in the English language, convey unique scenarios and emotions.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
To encapsulate, "lie" centers around untruths or the act of reclining, and "dare" revolves around challenges and the audacity to take risks.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
Lie vs. Dare Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A false statement or act of reclining
A challenge to do something risky
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Sep 26, 2023
Grammatical Use
Verb (can be transitive or intransitive)
Verb (usually transitive)
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Sep 26, 2023
Lie vs. Dare Definitions
◉Lie
The way something is oriented or situated.
The lie of the land is hilly.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dare
To challenge someone to do something.
I dare you to jump into the pool.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Lie
To remain in a particular state or position.
The book lies open on the table.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Lie
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline
He lay under a tree to sleep.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal
Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be or remain in a specified condition
The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To have the courage required for
The gymnast dared a breathtakingly difficult move.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness
They dared me to dive off the high board.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To be courageous or bold enough to do or try something
Go ahead and dive if you dare.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(intransitive) To have enough courage (to do something).
I wouldn't dare (to) argue with my boss.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(transitive) To defy or challenge (someone to do something)
I dare you to kiss that girl.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(transitive) To have enough courage to meet or do something, go somewhere, etc.; to face up to
Will you dare death to reach your goal?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(transitive) To catch (larks) by producing terror through the use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they lie still till a net is thrown over them.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(obsolete) To stare stupidly or vacantly; to gaze as though amazed or terrified.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true
learned his parents had been swindlers and felt his whole childhood had been a lie.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
(intransitive) To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
The book lies on the table;
the snow lies on the roof;
he lies in his coffin
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
(games) In the game truth or dare, the choice to perform a dare set by the other players.
When asked truth or dare, she picked dare.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To have adequate or sufficient courage for any purpose; to be bold or venturesome; not to be afraid; to venture.
I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.
Why then did not the ministers use their new law? Bacause they durst not, because they could not.
Who dared to sully her sweet love with suspicion.
The tie of party was stronger than the tie of blood, because a partisan was more ready to dare without asking why.
The pore dar plede (the poor man dare plead).
You know one dare not discover you.
The fellow dares not deceive me.
Here boldly spread thy hands, no venom'd weedDares blister them, no slimy snail dare creep.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or to undertake.
What high concentration of steady feeling makes men dare every thing and do anything?
To wrest it from barbarism, to dare its solitudes.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To challenge; to provoke; to defy.
Time, I dare thee to discoverSuch a youth and such a lover.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To terrify; to daunt.
For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,Would dare a woman.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness; dash.
It lends a luster . . . A large dare to our great enterprise.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
Defiance; challenge.
Childish, unworthy daresAre not enought to part our powers.
Sextus PompeiusHath given the dare to Cæsar.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
(intransitive) To give false information intentionally with intent to deceive.
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
While a principle-based approach might claim that lying is always morally wrong, the casuist would argue that, depending upon the details of the case, lying might or might not be illegal or unethical. The casuist might conclude that a person is wrong to lie in legal testimony under oath, but might argue that lying actually is the best moral choice if the lie saves a life.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy;
he could never refuse a dare
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
(intransitive) To convey a false image or impression.
Photographs often lie.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission;
How dare you call my lawyer?
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.
Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
to be courageous enough to try or do something;
I don't dare call him
she dares to dress differently from the others
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
(golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
(disc golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.
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May 03, 2023
◉Dare
To have enough courage to meet or confront.
He didn't dare contradict her.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Lie
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lie
A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive.
The proper notion of a lie is an endeavoring to deceive another by signifying that to him as true, which we ourselves think not to be so.
It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction when a traveler inquires of him his road.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
Anything which misleads or disappoints.
Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
The position or way in which anything lies; the lay, as of land or country.
He surveyed with his own eyes . . . the lie of the country on the side towards Thrace.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another, when he a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To rest extended on the ground, a bed, or any support; to be, or to put one's self, in an horizontal position, or nearly so; to be prostate; to be stretched out; - often with down, when predicated of living creatures; as, the book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
The watchful traveler . . . Lay down again, and closed his weary eyes.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be situated; to occupy a certain place; as, Ireland lies west of England; the meadows lie along the river; the ship lay in port.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition; as, to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hid; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves; the paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist; - with in.
Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To lodge; to sleep.
Whiles I was now trifling at home, I saw London, . . . where I lay one night only.
Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
The wind is loud and will not lie.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
What he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head.
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position;
The sick man lay in bed all day
the books are lying on the shelf
We had to stand for the entire performance!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Lie
originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive;
Don't lie to your parents
She lied when she told me she was only 29
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May 03, 2023
◉Lie
have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
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May 03, 2023
Lie vs. Dare Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to double dare?
It intensifies the challenge, implying a stronger or riskier dare.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Is lie always about deception?
No, lie can also refer to reclining or the way something is situated.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Is there a moral judgment associated with lie?
Often, but not when referring to position or orientation.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Is dare always about taking risks?
Primarily, but it can also signify having the courage to face something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
How is lying down different from laying down?
"Lie" is intransitive and doesn't need an object, while "lay" is transitive and requires one.
William
Sep 26, 2023
Is a truth or dare game about lying?
Not necessarily, it's about choosing to answer truthfully or take on a challenge.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
Can someone dare another in a positive way?
Yes, dares can be challenges to do good or positive actions.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023
Why do people lie?
Reasons vary from avoiding trouble to protecting someone's feelings.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
