likely story

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely story" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to express disbelief or skepticism. For example: He says he didn't eat the cake, but that's a likely story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

A likely story.

The New Yorker

A likely story, you say.

The New York Times - Books

People think, right, that's a likely story.

The New York Times

I mumbled, "Likely story," and put it on a shelf.

The New York Times - Food

A likely story, thinks Mary, who wonders why Helen said yes to Tom.

The New Yorker

"When I tipped my taxi driver," Dorries continues (a likely story), "he gave me a pink ribbon.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The show is not called merely Likely Stories, but Neil Gaiman's Likely Stories.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Neil Gaiman's Likely Stories begins tonight at 9pm on Sky Arts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Under this British directorial powerhouse, Likely Stories is, in true Gaiman style, brilliantly bizarre and unexpected".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Four of Gaiman's short stories from his collection Likely Stories are also being adapted as a series for UK channel Sky Arts.

The Guardian - Books

His 7-inch soundtrack EP to the forthcoming TV series Likely Stories was released on 20 May on Rough Trade.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely story" to subtly express doubt or disbelief without being directly confrontational. It's often more effective than a simple denial.

Common error

Avoid using "likely story" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and sarcastic. Vary your expressions of disbelief for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely story" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey disbelief or skepticism towards a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to subtly question the veracity of what someone has said.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely story" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey disbelief or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it subtly challenges the truthfulness of a statement. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly sarcastic. It is most common in news, media and informal contexts. Alternative phrases like "yeah right" or "I don't believe it" can be used for variety. Its primary function is to express doubt without being directly confrontational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yeah, right

Sarcastic expression implying disbelief.

I don't buy it

Informal way of expressing disbelief or skepticism.

hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the truthfulness of the statement.

improbable explanation

Emphasizes the low probability of the given reason or justification.

dubious claim

Focuses on the questionable nature of the statement.

questionable excuse

Focuses on the doubtfulness of the given reason for an action or situation.

fishy tale

Emphasizes the suspicious or untrustworthy aspect of the narrative.

pull the other one

An idiomatic expression implying that the story is unbelievable.

that's a lie

Directly accuses the speaker of not telling the truth.

tell it to the marines

An idiomatic expression that indicates a story is not believable.

FAQs

How to use "likely story" in a sentence?

Use "likely story" after someone makes a statement that you find hard to believe, expressing your skepticism. For example, "He said he was working late, but that's a "likely story"."

What does "likely story" mean?

"Likely story" is an expression used to convey disbelief or skepticism about something someone has said. It implies that you think the statement is false or improbable.

What can I say instead of "likely story"?

You can use alternatives like "I don't believe it", "that's hard to believe", or "yeah right" to express your disbelief.

Is "likely story" formal or informal?

"Likely story" is generally considered an informal expression. It's best suited for casual conversations and less formal writing.