Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
rope of sand

rope of sand

9.9
Something that looks strong but is weak and cannot be trusted
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : castillo de arena
  • Their alliance proved to be a rope of sand, dissolving under the slightest pressure.

Examples

  • All their assurances turned out to be a rope of sand when trouble came.

  • He realized his plans were built on a rope of sand and quickly fell apart.

  • His promises felt like a rope of sand.

  • The project was built on a rope of sand.

  • All their assurances turned out to be a rope of sand when trouble came.

  • Their alliance proved to be a rope of sand, dissolving under the slightest pressure.

  • He realized his plans were built on a rope of sand and quickly fell apart.

Synonyms

unreliability
vsrope of sand
3 5.5

Not being dependable or able to be trusted

describes an insubstantial or unreliable example rather than the abstract quality
undependableness
vsrope of sand
8.9

A quality of someone or something that others do not trust to do what is needed

describes a figurative tangible example instead of the abstract condition

How Reliable

mainstay
18 4.9
weakest link
  • Informal
28 4.3
rope of sand
  • Informal
9.9
sham
6.8

Surface Forms

rope of sand singular
ropes of sand plural

Morphology

rope + of + sand

The expression combines 'rope' (an object meant to bind or hold) with 'sand' (loose, non-cohesive material), so the idea of a rope made from sand directly evokes something that cannot hold or be relied on. This metaphorical image is compositionally clear, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Rope of sand gives a clear picture: imagine a rope made of loose sand — it looks like a rope but falls apart when you try to use it. One popular image says this is why the phrase means 'something you cannot depend on'.