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.”

---

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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hold water

"The Act will give us, as regulator, more power to protect our precious water quality and resources, hold water companies and others to account and ensure the polluter pays," it said.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 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

Lawson-Remer said the reasons Vargas cited for the delay don’t hold water.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• stick

---