cock-and-bull
Definition
Adjective (typically used in the phrase "cock-and-bull story") - Fabricated or improbable: Describing a story or explanation that is obviously false, exaggerated, or impossible to believe. It refers to a tale that is invented or highly unlikely, often told to deceive or amuse.
Usage Examples
- (He gave an obviously false and unbelievable account.)
- (Do not offer an improbable and dishonest reason.)
- (The explanation was clearly fabricated and unconvincing.)
Advanced Usage
"cock-and-bull story" (the most common fixed phrase): an implausible or fabricated narrative.
- She came up with a cock-and-bull story about losing her wallet to avoid paying. (She invented an unlikely tale as an excuse.)
Used attributively: The phrase can modify other nouns to indicate something false or absurd.
- His cock-and-bull alibi was quickly dismissed by the police. (His false excuse was rejected.)
Variants and Related Words
Cock-and-bull tale (n): a synonym for "cock-and-bull story."
- Grandpa entertained us with a cock-and-bull tale about his youth. (He told an exaggerated, amusing, and unlikely story.)
Cock-and-bull (as a noun, rare): the story itself.
- That whole account is a cock-and-bull. (The entire account is a fabrication.)
Synonyms
- Tall tale: an exaggerated or improbable story.
- Fabrication: a made-up falsehood.
- Fairy tale: an unrealistic or fanciful account.
- Whopper: an informal term for a big lie.
Related Idioms
A pack of lies: a collection of falsehoods.
- His entire testimony was a pack of lies. (Everything he said was dishonest.)
Fish story: an exaggerated or unbelievable tale, often about fishing.
- He told a fish story about catching a shark in a pond. (He told an absurdly exaggerated story.)