Meaning of hold water in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    US accent

    UK accent

  1. Verb

    hold water

    Definitions

    1. resist or withstand wear, criticism, etc.

    Examples

    • « Her shoes won't hold up »
    • « This theory won't hold water »

Famous quotes

  • « The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water. »
    John W. Gardner

Browse dictionary