Cock and Bull Story Idiom with Meaning and Examples

Have you ever heard someone tell a story that sounded completely unbelievable or clearly made up? This is exactly what the expression “cock and bull story” describes. In this guide you will learn what this common English idiom really means, how it is used in everyday conversations, and how to apply it correctly in your own sentences. With simple explanations, real-life examples, and a short quiz, this lesson on cock and bull story idiom meaning with example will help you understand the phrase easily and use it confidently in both speaking and writing.

What Does “Cock and Bull Story” Mean?

“Cock and bull story” means a story or explanation that is clearly false, exaggerated, or hard to believe, something people say when they think someone is making excuses or lying. In simple words, a cock and bull story is an unbelievable or made-up story.

Usage With Examples

When someone uses this idiom, they are usually expressing doubt about the truthfulness of the story being told. It’s a way to suggest that the story is far-fetched. Some of the sentences are:

• Don’t believe a word he says! He’s always coming up with some cock and bull-story to get out of trouble.
• She told us this cock and bull story about being abducted by aliens, but nobody took her seriously.
• The old man at the bar entertained everyone with his cock and bull story about meeting celebrities during his travels.

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Synonyms and Related Phrases

These are some of the synonyms and related words that can be used in place of the idiom: 

• Tall tale
• Fish story
• Whopper
• Fairy tale
• Yarn
• Fable
• Fabrication
• Exaggeration

Cock and Bull Story Idiom Meaning Quiz

Choose a synonym for the idiom “cock and bull story”:

• Honest account
• Fairy tale 
• Documentary

The answer to the question is “Fairy Tale”.

Also Read: List of Idioms and Phrases for IELTS

This was all about the idiom cock and bull story meaning and examples. I hope you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.