cock-and-bull stories
Ridiculous made-up yarns
Cock-and-bull stories are absurd, implausible tales presented as if true—elaborate fabrications meant to explain away something or deceive a listener.
The phrase suggests the kind of rambling, fantastical narrative where animals might talk and nothing quite adds up: He gave me some cock-and-bull story about his car breaking down.
The singular form is more common.
- fibsPetty falsehoods
- tall talesFantastical exaggerated stories
- tall storyImplausible exaggerated narrative
- exaggerationsOverblown claims or statements
- whopperOutsized thing or untruth
pack of lies · nonsense · yarn · falsehood · prevarication · shaggy dog story · fable · canard · urban legends · untruth · lies · fabrication · embellishment · fiction · poppycock · balderdash · fabulist · inventions
cock-and-bull storiesgospel truth
Claim beyond all question
plain truth · unvarnished truth · sworn testimony · eyewitness accounts · hard facts
cock-and-bull storieshard evidence
verified accounts · sworn testimony · eyewitness accounts · official records · historical record