The adjective 'cooked-up' describes something that is fabricated, contrived, or invented, often with a degree of deception or a lack of genuine basis. It suggests something has been created, especially a story or excuse, to mislead or manipulate. This often implies a lack of authenticity and can imply artificiality. The term often indicates a deliberate effort to construct something, whether plausible or not, for a particular purpose, frequently to cover up a fault or avoid accountability. The intent is usually to persuade others that something is true or valid, when it isn’t, or to create a misleading impression.
Cooked-up meaning with examples
- The detective quickly realized that the witness's alibi was completely cooked-up, full of inconsistencies and improbable details designed to protect someone.
- After being caught skipping class, Sarah tried to get away with a cooked-up excuse about a family emergency, hoping to avoid detention.
- The political scandal was fueled by a cooked-up media frenzy, with reporters publishing manufactured stories, attempting to damage the candidate's reputation.
- The company's financial report appeared to be cooked-up to show increased profits, when in reality they were struggling to stay afloat.