For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. Tom's excuses don't hold water.

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2025 Subject: English Language

Question 1 Report

For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. 

Tom's excuses don't hold water.

Answer Details

The idiom "don't hold water" means that something is not logically sound, convincing, or valid. It originates from the image of a container with holes: just as a leaky bucket cannot hold water, a weak argument or excuse cannot withstand scrutiny.

When we say Tom's excuses "don't hold water," we mean they fail to convince because they contain logical flaws or inconsistencies. The excuses cannot stand up to examination.

The other options misinterpret the idiom. Being "acceptable by a few" suggests partial validity, which is not what the idiom conveys. "Waterproof" reverses the meaning entirely, implying the excuses are strong. Explaining the situation well also contradicts the idiom, which specifically indicates failure to persuade.

The correct interpretation is that the excuses are not logically sound.

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