hold water
Meaning
To be logically sound, credible, or true; to stand up to scrutiny.
Origin
From the literal sense of a container that can “hold water” without leaking; by metaphor, an argument that doesn’t “leak” (i.e., has no flaws) is solid and convincing.
Notes
Used for arguments, explanations, theories, or excuses that are (or aren’t) credible. Very common in the negative (“doesn’t hold water”) and can sound mildly critical.
Examples
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His excuse doesn’t hold water when you look at the timeline.
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That theory might sound convincing, but it doesn’t hold water under scrutiny.
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If your argument doesn’t hold water, the committee won’t approve the proposal.
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The witness’s story stopped holding water after the new evidence came out.
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It’s an interesting claim, but it won’t hold water without solid data.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually appears as “hold(s) water,” often in negatives/questions: “That doesn’t hold water.” Subject is typically an argument/claim/excuse. Also used as a bare infinitive after modals: “won’t/can’t hold water.”
Synonyms
- make sense
- be credible
- be plausible
- stand up
- bear scrutiny
- be valid
Antonyms
- be sound
- stand up to scrutiny