hold water

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold water" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison between two ideas, facts, statements, etc. to show that one is stronger than the other. Example sentence: "Her argument doesn't really hold water, as we can see from the facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That doesn't hold water".

The New York Times

Here, they hold water.

The New York Times

Such arguments don't hold water.

The Economist

That doesn't hold water, either.

The New York Times

Do you think they still hold water?

The New Yorker

Yet this argument will not hold water.

The New York Times

That belief doesn't hold water, either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Damon's arguments simply don't hold water.

The Guardian - Film

His arguments continue to hold water".

The New York Times

"That doesn't hold water for me.

The New York Times

This comparison does not hold water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the idiom “hold water” when assessing the strength and validity of an argument, theory, or explanation, particularly in contexts where critical evaluation is important. For example, “That explanation doesn’t "hold water" when you consider the evidence.”

Common error

Avoid using “hold water” in contexts where you literally mean containing liquid. This idiom is exclusively for assessing the validity of something abstract, such as an idea or claim.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression “hold water” functions as a verb phrase, typically used to assess the validity or soundness of an argument, theory, or claim. Ludwig AI shows that it commonly appears in contexts where scrutiny and critical evaluation are involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom “hold water” is a very common expression used to assess the validity and soundness of an argument or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, wiki, and science contexts. When an argument "doesn't hold water", it suggests that it's flawed or lacks sufficient evidence. Related phrases include "stand up to scrutiny" and "be logically sound". A key writing tip is to use this idiom exclusively for abstract evaluations, avoiding literal interpretations of containing liquid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand up to scrutiny

Emphasizes the ability to withstand careful examination.

prove to be valid

Highlights the demonstration of correctness or truth.

be logically sound

Focuses on the adherence to logical principles.

bear close examination

Suggests the ability to remain intact under detailed inspection.

withstand investigation

Implies resilience against probing or inquiry.

hold up under review

Indicates that something remains valid even after being reviewed.

remain credible

Focuses on maintaining believability.

be sustainable

Highlights the capability of being maintained or upheld.

pass the test

Suggests meeting a required standard or proving to be acceptable.

endure challenge

Implies surviving difficult circumstances or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "hold water" in a sentence?

You can use "hold water" to describe whether an argument or idea is valid or sound. For example, "His alibi simply doesn't "hold water" when you consider the evidence."

What does it mean when something doesn't "hold water"?

If something doesn't "hold water", it means it is not believable, logical, or well-supported by evidence. It suggests that the argument or explanation is flawed and easily disproven.

Which is correct: "hold water" or "holds water"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "hold water" for plural subjects or when used with 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they'. Use "holds water" for singular subjects (e.g., 'the theory holds water').

What can I say instead of "hold water"?

Alternatives to "hold water" include phrases like "stand up to scrutiny", "prove to be valid", or "be logically sound", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.