His excuse for being late rings false.
ring false
idiomTo seem to be incorrect, or implausible.
I wanted to believe his story, but something about his explanation just rings false.
Despite the politician's carefully rehearsed speech, his promises of reform rang false to the skeptical audience.
- 01
give someone a ring
To place a telephone call to someone.
- 02
hold the ring
To oversee a situation while attempting to remain uninvolved in it.
- 03
kiss someone's ring
To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone.
- 04
make the welkin ring
To celebrate or revel.
- 05
ring a bell
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
- 06
ring down the curtain
To end something.
- 07
ring hollow
To seem to be false or implausible; to be unconvincing.
- 08
ring off the hook
Of a telephone, to ring constantly or excessively.