give the lie to

give the lie to  {v. phr.},  {literary}
1. To call (someone) a liar.
The police gave the lie to the man who said that he had been at home during the robbery.
2. To show (something) to be false; prove untrue.
The boy's dirty face gave the lie to his answer that he had washed.
Categories: {literary} {v. phr.}