cock-and-bull story


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cock-and-bull story

 (kŏk′ən-bo͝ol′)
n.
An absurd or highly improbable tale passed off as being true.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cock-and-bull story

n
informal an obviously improbable story, esp a boastful one or one used as an excuse
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cock′-and-bull′ sto`ry


n.
an absurd, improbable story presented as the truth.
[1600–10]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

cock-and-bull story

A story, especially an excuse, that is obviously false; from the idea of old morality tales that often featured talking animals.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.cock-and-bull story - an interesting but highly implausible story; often told as an excuse
fib, taradiddle, tarradiddle, tale, story - a trivial lie; "he told a fib about eating his spinach"; "how can I stop my child from telling stories?"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

cock-and-bull story

noun
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations

cock-and-bull story

nLügengeschichte f; to give somebody a cock-and-bull storyjdm eine Lügengeschichte erzählen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

cock

(kok) noun
1. the male of birds, especially of the domestic fowl. a cock and three hens; (also adjective) a cock sparrow.
2. a kind of tap for controlling the flow of liquid, gas etc.
3. a slang word for the penis.
verb
1. to cause to stand upright or to lift. The dog cocked its ears.
2. to draw back the hammer of (a gun).
3. to tilt up or sideways (especially a hat).
cockerel (ˈkokərəl) noun
a young farmyard cock.
ˈcocky adjective
conceited; over-confident. a cocky attitude.
cock-and-bull story
an absurd, unbelievable story.
ˈcock-crow noun
early morning. He gets up at cock-crow.
ˈcock-eyed adjective
ridiculous. a cock-eyed idea.
ˌcockˈsure adjective
very or too confident. He was cocksure about passing the exam.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
References in periodicals archive ?
Ms Nawaz has been convicted by a court of law, irrespective of the lack of due process as agitated by Ms Nawaz, whereas Mrs Talpur continues to remain an accused in a cock-and-bull story based on misinformation.
Many lack the relevant knowledge and skills.Youth unemployment ranks high every election cycle but the job creation promises end up as a cock-and-bull story and a violation of public trust.
'He should realise his cock-and-bull story would be fodder for the political extremists and opportunists in post 14th General Election to incite interracial and inter-religious animosity, hatred and strife in Malaysia,' Lim said.