hold water

English

(idiomatic) To withstand scrutiny or criticism; to be valid.
- 2017 August 13, Brandon Nowalk, “Oldtown offers one last game-changing secret as Game Of Thrones goes behind enemy lines (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club‎:
  At the parlay, Tyrion also tries to claim Tywin’s murder was self-defense, which holds some water, and despite Jaime’s anger, I suspect he can see it from that side.
- 1888, Horatio Alger, The Errand Boy, ch. 35:
  "Young man," he said, "upon this point I can only say that your story is grossly improbable. It won't hold water."

withstand scrutiny

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