破绽百出

破綻百出
pòzhànbǎichū
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 riddled with flaws
  2. 2 full of holes (of an argument)
  3. 3 leaks at every seam

Examples

Tā de huǎngyán pòzhànbǎichū, méi rén xiāngxìn.
His lies were so full of holes that no one believed them.
Zhè fèn fāng'àn pòzhànbǎichū, xūyào chóngxiě.
This proposal is riddled with flaws — it needs a rewrite.

Tips

memory
破绽 (pòzhàn) literally means a 'split seam' on clothing — a tailor's term for a tear that gives away poor stitching. (a hundred coming forth) means flaws appear everywhere. Picture an argument like a torn shirt — holes popping open with every move.
usage
Most often used about lies, alibis, theories, or excuses — anything that can be 'unraveled' on inspection. Strong companions: 漏洞 (lòudòng, loophole), 不住 (zhàn bù zhù jiǎo, can't stand up).

Stroke Order

zhàn
bǎi
chū