ring false
To seem to be incorrect, or implausible.
His excuse about his car breaking down again rings false to me.
VERBS
be, look, prove, sound
ADV
absolutely, completely, entirely, quite, totally, utterly
The doctor said my test results were completely false, so I need to take them again.
partly | certainly, definitely
blatantly, clearly, obviously, patently, undoubtedly
The advertisement was clearly false, promising results that no product could deliver.
PHRASES
true or false
The teacher gave us a quiz where we had to answer true or false about historical events.
VERBS
be, ring, sound
His promise to help sounded false after he disappeared for three months.
ADV
horribly, very
His apology sounded very false, and nobody in the room believed him.
slightly
When he smiled at the joke, his laugh seemed slightly false and forced.