c) an unbelievable story
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
A cock-and-bull story, is a far-fetched, obviously improbable story, especially a boastful one or one given as an excuse.
French translation
une histoire à dormir debout
How NOT to translate : *une histoire de coq et de taureau
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Examples in context
‘Najib’s defence a ‘cock and bull’ story, says prosecutor
PUTRAJAYA : Najib Razak’s defence during the SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption trial was so bizarre that it was an “own goal”, the Court of Appeal was told today.
“In fact, the appellant’s (Najib) defence is a cock and bull story,” ad hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram told a three-member bench chaired by Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil.
The lawyer , who was given a special licence by the attorney-general to prosecute this case, also described the defence as so convoluted that they “scored an own goal” and said some parts of the defence were an afterthought.’
Free Malaysia Today, 20 April 2021
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Everyday usage
I will not waste any time dealing with non-urgent subjects just because of some cock-and-bull stories.
Jess won’t make it tonight. She gave me some cock-and-bull story about having to help a neighbour move out.
EnglishTonic and Claramedia, 28 May 2021
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