hold water

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"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

“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

Water services are different, because the 'switch for a better deal' advice simply doesn't, ahem, hold water.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 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