Make up out of whole cloth Meaning in English
expression
MAYK-UP-OWT-uhv-HOHL-KLAWTH
MAYK-UP-OWT-uhv-HOHl-KLOTH
Definition
To invent something completely, especially a story or excuse, without any basis in fact.
Usage & Nuances
This is a somewhat formal and old-fashioned idiomatic expression. It implies deliberate fabrication. Used mainly for stories, excuses, or claims that are completely false. More common in writing or formal speech than conversation.
Spanish: inventar completamente - sacar de la nadaPortuguese (BR): inventar totalmente - criar do nadaPortuguese (PT): inventar totalmente - criar do nadaChinese (Simplified): 完全捏造Chinese (Traditional): 完全捏造Hindi: पूरी तरह से गढ़ लेनाArabic: اختلق من العدمBengali: পুরোপুরি বানিয়ে ফেলাRussian: выдумать с нуля - полностью сочинитьJapanese: 完全にでっちあげるVietnamese: bịa ra hoàn toànKorean: 완전히 지어내다Turkish: tamamen uydurmakUrdu: بالکل من گھڑ لیناIndonesian: membuat-buat sepenuhnya - mengada-ada sama sekali
Example Sentences
He made up the story out of whole cloth to avoid trouble.
basic
The rumor was made up out of whole cloth.
basic
She made up her excuse out of whole cloth.
basic
Don't believe him; he makes things up out of whole cloth all the time.
natural
That explanation was made up out of whole cloth just to calm us down.
natural
I can't believe you made that up out of whole cloth right on the spot!
natural