真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)

まっかなうそ
expression
blatant lie; outright lie
communication
1. blatant lie; outright lie; barefaced lie
An obvious, complete falsehood with no truth whatsoever. The expression uses 真(ま)っ赤(か) (bright red) metaphorically to mean 'complete' or 'utter.'
それは真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)だ。
That is an outright lie.
彼(かれ)の言(い)い訳(わけ)は真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)だった。
His excuse was a blatant lie.
真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)をついてまで自分(じぶん)を守(まも)ろうとするのはやめなさい。
Stop trying to protect yourself by telling blatant lies.

Usage

A set expression meaning a complete, obvious lie. The 真(ま)っ赤(か) here does not refer to the color red but is an intensifier meaning 'utter' or 'complete,' as in 真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ). This usage of 赤(あか) as an intensifier also appears in 真(ま)っ赤(か)な他人(たにん) (a complete stranger).

Common collocations

  • 真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)をつく (to tell a blatant lie)
  • 真(ま)っ赤(か)な嘘(うそ)だと見抜(みぬ)く (to see through a blatant lie)

Related Words

Related: 嘘(うそ) (lie)
general
Added 2026.3.17 19:34 · Revised 2026.9.9 0:22
17000/17375_makkanauso