Not hold water Meaning in English
expression
NAHT HOHLD WAW-ter
NOT HOHLD WAW-tuh
Definition
If an argument or explanation does not hold water, it is not logical, reasonable, or cannot be proven as true.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, somewhat formal expression. Commonly used to criticize arguments, excuses, or theories ('His story doesn't hold water'). Not literal; do not use for physical objects. Avoid mixing up with phrases involving actual water.
Spanish: no tener fundamento - no tener sentidoPortuguese (BR): não faz sentido - não se sustentaPortuguese (PT): não faz sentido - não se sustentaChinese (Simplified): 站不住脚 - 说不通Chinese (Traditional): 站不住腳 - 說不通Hindi: तर्कसंगत नहीं है - विश्वसनीय नहीं हैArabic: لا يَصمُد - غير مَقبولBengali: টেকসই নয় - যুক্তিসঙ্গত নয়Russian: не выдерживать критики - не иметь основанийJapanese: 筋が通らない - 信憑性がないVietnamese: không thuyết phục - không đứng vữngKorean: 설득력이 없다 - 말이 안 된다Turkish: geçerli olmamak - mantıklı olmamakUrdu: وزنی نہیں رکھتا - درست نہیں ہےIndonesian: tidak masuk akal - tidak dapat diterima
Example Sentences
His excuse does not hold water.
basic
This theory does not hold water when you look at the facts.
basic
Her answer does not hold water with the teachers.
basic
You can try to explain, but your story just does not hold water.
natural
Most of their arguments do not hold water in court.
natural
The rumor going around does not hold water at all.
natural