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

"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

"They do an amazing job for nature, they eat grubs in the soil, they turn over the soil, they help soils drain and hold water".

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

“The argument doesn’t hold water, in my view,” says Joachim Klement, economist and strategist at Panmure Liberum, who believes the argument’s assumptions about consumer behavior are too narrow and flawed.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 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

“Your argument doesn’t hold water at all, you sophist,” Miss Adebayo said, and dismissively downed what was in her glass.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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