airtight argument
1
4.8
- noun
- /ˈɛrtaɪt ˈɑrɡjʊmənt/
:
argumento irrefutable
- The lawyer built an airtight argument that left no room for doubt about his client's innocence.
Examples
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This means that you have to make airtight arguments that go through rigorous peer review, often multiple rounds before top experts in the field of economics.
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And making airtight arguments in your briefs and memos.
Blog text (12) -
In such cases, we may not be able to marshal an airtight argument for one side or the other because all sides will be able to point to some deep moral value and argue for why this novel fact pattern is an instance of more familiar fact patterns.
Blog text (19) -
This means that you have to make airtight arguments that go through rigorous peer review, often multiple rounds before top experts in the field of economics.
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In the debate, she presented an airtight argument that convinced everyone in the room.
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To win the case, he needed to prepare an airtight argument supported by strong evidence.
Synonyms
30
3.9
An argument with good evidence and clear reasons that is likely to convince people
5
3.4
A reason or group of reasons that make sense and are clear
1
3.9
A way of thinking or arguing that uses good reasons and evidence to show something is true
Antonyms
How Convincing
1
4.8
5
3.4
30
3.9
- Formal
1
8.5
- Formal
1
4.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'airtight' conveys the literal idea of being completely sealed, which maps directly onto the metaphorical sense of being impervious to attack; combined with 'argument' this yields an argument that cannot be pierced or disproved. This compositional, metaphorically motivated mapping is straightforward and predictable for learners who know both constituents, so a B1 learner would readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Airtight argument comes from the picture of a sealed jar: if something is airtight, no air can get in, and an argument with no gaps leaves no room for doubt, so it 'cannot be disputed'.