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

1.
でたらめな話, 作り話, ばかげた話
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.
遅刻の理由について、そんなでたらめな話をするな。
•
His excuse was a complete cock-and-bull story.
彼の言い訳は全くのでたらめな話だった。