Barefaced

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei and joining me today is Rob.

Rob
Hi everyone. Ah Feifei, what a lovely day it is today.

Feifei What? It’s raining. You seem to be in a good mood.

Rob Yes. I’ve done all my work and the boss has given me the rest of the day off… so I’m off. Bye.

Feifei Hold on Rob! Could you at least stay and present this programme?

Rob Oh OK then. I suppose there’s no rush to go shopping and spend the bonus he’s given me is there?

Feifei Oh come on Rob. This doesn’t sound like our boss. You’re telling me a barefaced lie.

Rob Barefaced? No no, this really is my hairy face - look!

Feifei No - the word ‘barefaced’ can literally mean ‘having no beard’ but we also use the word to mean ‘without any disguise’ or ‘being deliberately bold and shameless’. So Rob is a ‘barefaced liar’ because he’s obviously telling a lie without any embarrasment. Sorry Rob, I think you’re lying but let’s hear some more examples of this phrase…

Examples The company’s claim that profits had jumped by ten per cent was obviously a barefaced lie.

John was at the pub last night bragging about his goal-scoring again - but we all know he’s a barefaced liar.

Feifei Someone being barefaced means doing something without shame, and Rob - you are being a deliberate and outrageous liar aren’t you?

Rob Oh well, yes, I suppose so - I was doing it to show you how great I am.

Feifei Well it didn’t work - and I’m going to show you my ‘bear’ face now.

[BEAR ROAR FX]

Rob Wow that’s a real ‘bear’ face but at least you haven’t got a beard - although if you did have one, maybe you’d look less… fat?

Feifei Huh! Barefaced cheek!

Rob Time to go I think. Bye.

Feifei Bye.