cock-and-bull story

informal disapproving

“cock and bull”最早可追溯到1620年，当时指英国一家设在路边的酒馆，酒馆的名字叫“The Cock and Bull”。疲倦的旅客在此过夜时，常聚在一起侃大山，讲他们所经历的奇闻逸事。当然，这些经历不要求真实，怎么奇特就怎么来。久而久之，“cock and bull story”就成了“鬼话连篇”的代名词。

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

(尤指用作借口的)荒诞的故事;无稽之谈

Was it him who made you come to us with this cock-and-bull story?

是不是他让你来跟我们这么瞎说八道的?