ne tient pas debout

doesn't hold up

→ ne
phrase Rare #31,198
doesn't hold up Used for an idea, story, or explanation that seems implausible or illogical.
FR: Son explication ne tient pas debout.
EN: His explanation doesn't hold up.

Ça ne tient pas debout.

That doesn't hold water.

— Mystic River (2003)

Je crois que ta théorie ne tient pas debout.

I think your theory doesn't hold water.

Elle ne tient pas debout.

It cannot stand upright.

— Les Nuits de Cabiria (1957)

On dit qu'un sac vide ne tient pas debout!

They say an empty bag won’t stand upright!

— The Man From Nowhere (2010)

Ça ne tient pas debout!

That doesn't hold water!

— M le maudit (1931)

Son histoire ne tient pas debout!

His story doesn't hold water!

— Qui suis-je (2014)

Ce qu'elle a dit ne tient pas debout.

What she said doesn’t hold water.