cock-and-bull story
复数形式
cock-and-bull stories
1
无稽之谈, 荒诞的故事
a story that seems impossible, particularly one that is used as an excuse
The idiom "cock-and-bull story" has its origins in the 17th century and refers to a fanciful, improbable, or exaggerated tale. The phrase likely comes from the names of two inns, the "Cock" and the "Bull," which were known for hosting travelers and entertaining them with extravagant and fictitious stories. Today, this expression is used to describe a narrative that is fabricated, unbelievable, or intended to deceive, often characterized by its lack of credibility.
- His excuse for missing work was nothing more than a cock-and-bull story about an alien abduction.
他旷工的借口不过是一个关于外星人绑架的无稽之谈。
- The old man entertained the children with a cock-and-bull story about a treasure buried in the backyard.
老人用一个关于后院埋藏宝藏的荒诞故事逗乐了孩子们。
- The defendant's alibi was seen as a cock and bull story by the jury, leading to his conviction.
被告的不在场证明被陪审团视为无稽之谈，导致他被定罪。
- She came up with a cock-and-bull story to explain why she was late to the meeting, but no one believed her.
她编造了一个荒诞的故事来解释为什么开会迟到，但没有人相信她。
- The tall tales in that novel were a collection of cock-and-bull stories that made it a bestseller among adventure enthusiasts.
那部小说中的夸张故事是一堆无稽之谈的集合，这使它成为冒险爱好者中的畅销书。