hold water

phrase

: to stand up under criticism or analysis

Their version of events doesn't hold water.

Examples of hold water in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that Chuy García continued to serve out his term despite the health issues his wife is experiencing and his new responsibilities as guardian of his grandchild, the other explanation does not hold water. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

The Coast Guard said that the fuel in the Jaria Provider was also stored in ballast tanks, which are typically used to hold water or air to control the ship's buoyancy. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Those tanks normally hold water to help control ships’ stability and balance at sea. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Once a week, empty items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, flowerpots and trash containers. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hold water

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater