hold water

Cultural  

1. To seem logical and consistent: “At first I was persuaded by the politician's speech, but upon reflection, I decided her arguments didn't hold water.”

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hold water Idioms  

1. Stand up to critical examination, be sound and valid, as in This argument just won't hold water, or Her reasons for quitting don't hold water. This metaphoric expression alludes to a container that can hold water without leaking. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hold water

Planting native broadleaf trees creates cooler, shadier woodland that is less likely to ignite, while restoring rivers and wetlands helps hold water in the landscape, keeping surrounding land damp.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

"There is little doubt that, in any case, the justification of an imminent attack on the US does not hold water," he added.

From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026

It reaffirms that wetlands must actually touch jurisdictional waters and consistently hold water for minimum periods every year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 19, 2025

Most of the plants in question are a variety known as succulents, named for their ability to hold water and survive in arid climates.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

We’d lost the distiller setup, the tarp, jugs, paddles, tools, rags, everything but the bloodstained sail, which was too worn and torn to hold water.

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin

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