cock-and-bull story

US /ˌkɑk.ənˈbʊl ˈstɔː.ri/
UK /ˌkɑk.ənˈbʊl ˈstɔː.ri/
"cock-and-bull story" picture
1.

storia assurda, storia inventata, storia incredibile

a story that is obviously not true, especially one told as an excuse

:
Don't give me that cock-and-bull story about why you're late.
Non raccontarmi quella storia assurda sul perché sei in ritardo.
His excuse was a complete cock-and-bull story.
La sua scusa era una storia assurda completa.