cock-and-bull story: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “cock-and-bull story” mean?
An elaborate, unbelievable, and fabricated story told to deceive or excuse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An elaborate, unbelievable, and fabricated story told to deceive or excuse.
A far-fetched or improbable tale, often told with apparent sincerity, that is clearly false or exaggerated. The term implies that the teller is attempting to mislead the listener with an absurd explanation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the phrase with the same meaning. There is no significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects: implies scepticism and disbelief toward the story being told.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but well-understood and used in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “cock-and-bull story” in a Sentence
[Subject] told/gave/spun [Indirect Object] a cock-and-bull story (about [Topic]).[Subject] came up with/invented a cock-and-bull story.That's a cock-and-bull story.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cock-and-bull story” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always cock-and-bulling about his past adventures.
- Stop cock-and-bulling and tell me the truth.
American English
- He's just cock-and-bulling to get out of trouble.
- Don't cock-and-bull me with that nonsense.
adjective
British English
- She gave some cock-and-bull explanation about train delays.
- It was a typical cock-and-bull excuse.
American English
- He had a cock-and-bull reason for being late.
- I'm tired of his cock-and-bull answers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to dismiss an employee's dubious excuse for missing a deadline.
Academic
Very rare, considered too informal.
Everyday
Common in informal spoken contexts when discussing excuses or implausible explanations.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cock-and-bull story”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cock-and-bull story”
- Incorrect: 'He told a cock and bull story.' (Missing hyphens) Correct: 'cock-and-bull story'.
- Incorrect: 'It was a cock-and-bull.' (Omitting 'story') Correct: 'cock-and-bull story'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact origin is uncertain. It dates to at least the early 17th century. One theory suggests it refers to fables where animals talk, known for being fanciful. Another links it to old coaching inns named 'The Cock' and 'The Bull,' where travellers might exchange exaggerated tales.
No, it is considered informal and colloquial. In formal contexts, use synonyms like 'fabrication,' 'unfounded claim,' or 'specious explanation.'
Yes, it is directly accusatory and implies you think the person is lying or being foolish. It is confrontational and should be used cautiously.
Yes, in modern usage, it is standard to write it with hyphens ('cock-and-bull') when used as a compound modifier before 'story.' However, you may occasionally see it without hyphens, but hyphenated is the correct form.
An elaborate, unbelievable, and fabricated story told to deceive or excuse.
Cock-and-bull story: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒk ən ˈbʊl ˈstɔːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːk ən ˈbʊl ˈstɔːri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull the wool over someone's eyes”
- “a pack of lies”
- “a fishy story”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rooster (cock) and a bull trying to tell you a story together. It would be noisy, confused, and impossible to believe.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS AN IMPLAUSIBLE NARRATIVE / AN ABSURD TALE IS A FALSEHOOD.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'cock-and-bull story' primarily express?