hollow

beat someone hollow (British & Australian)

to defeat someone easily and by a large amount. We played my brother's school at football and beat them hollow.

See also: beat

have a hollow ring

ring/sound hollow - if something someone says rings hollow, it does not sound true or sincere. In view of the government's financial problems, these promises have a hollow ring.

See also: ring

ring/sound hollow

if something someone says rings hollow, it does not sound true or sincere. The claims they made two years ago that peace was just around the corner ring very hollow now.

See also: ring, sound

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ring hollow

to seem dishonest, not true, or wrong. The Rockets sounded like a defeated team — they talked of the possibility of a comeback, but the words rang hollow. Her characters and situations all ring false and her movie just seems painful and pointless.

Usage notes: often used in the forms a hollow ring or a false ring a dishonest or not sincere quality: Her story about the hostages is certainly exciting, but it has a hollow ring.

ring true

See also: ring