自圆其说
zì yuán qí shuō
to make one’s story hold together
Character by character
自zì
self
self
圆yuán
round off
round off
其qí
one’s
one’s
说shuō
argument
argument
Example
他的解释前后矛盾，根本无法自圆其说。
His explanation contradicts itself; he simply cannot make it hold together.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Mostly in the negative: 无法／难以／不能自圆其说, of an excuse or theory full of holes. Said admiringly (他总能自圆其说), it often hints at slipperiness.
Learn this in Lesson 219 · HSK 9+: 俗语打架 (When proverbs disagree)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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